November 6 2010

Pablo Counago

Crystal Palace surrendered the lead to lose 2-1 at fellow strugglers Middlesbrough.

The Eagles went into the match rooted to the bottom of the table and had the chance to leapfrog their rivals with a victory.

They raced out of the traps and almost took the lead inside 12 seconds but Boro keeper Jason Steele denied James Vaughan's header with a save.

Joe Bennett forced Palace stopper Julian Speroni into a good block before Darren Ambrose fired wide for the visitors.

And George Burley's side deservedly went in front after 29 minutes through Pablo Counago who converted Alex Marrow's cross.

Boro were a totally improved side after the break as sub Leroy Lita headed over, Speroni made a brilliant save from Julio Arca, then he made an even better save from Lita.

Substitute Tarmo Kink brought Middlesbrough level in the 76th minute with a shot across goal that took a deflection off a Palace defender.

And Boro got a second goal five minutes from time as Paddy McCarthy diverted Tony McMahon's header past Speroni and into his own net.

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