Team
Westwood, Cranie, Wood, Wright (Clarke 75), Barnett, Bell (Baker 78), Clingan, Gunnarsson, McIndoe, Morrison (Jeffers 84), Eastwood. SNU Konstantopolous, Hall, Hussey, Wilson
Middlesbrough
Jones, Hoyte, McManus, Riggott, Bennett, L. Williams, Robson, R. Williams, Alliadiere (Franks 72), Miller (Lita 61), McDonald, SNU Coyne, Killen, Arca, Grounds, Naughton.
HT MFC 0-0 CCFC FT MFC 1-1 CCFC
ATT 20, 771
Referee D. McDermid Booked Wright
Goals Scott McDonald (51), Aron Gunnarsson (57)
Man Of The Match. Aron Gunnarsson took the votes from Stephen Wright.
___________________
Restlessness and discontent are the necessities of progress and although there wasn't much progress in evidence, the City supporters were happy with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.
After a three hour journey to Teesside, we enjoyed a meal in a restaurant in Middlesbrough's town centre before heading to the Riverside Stadium.
We join the rest of the 365 strong Sky Blue Army which included supporters from Surrey, Kent and London on a lovely, sunny but not overly warm day to see the Sky Blues field an unchanged side at a ground they have never won at.
With the first half being played at the pace of a pre-season friendly, City had three at the back and gave Stephen Wright a free role in midfield.
Chris Coleman had an easy time of it today with many of the City support prefering to use the opportunity of abusing Gordon Strachan for his part in taking the Sky Blues down nearly a decade ago amongst other things.
Whilst Coleman's tactics in previous matches may have reduced the following and killed off any fancy dress fun, today, the only thing lacking in the opening forty five minutes was a sense of urgency.
A good five passes saw Sammy Clingan fire across the goal in the seventh minute with youngster Luke Williams forcing Keiren Westwood to spill the ball and Leon Barnett cleared it for a corner.
The sight of Marcus Hall warming up, brought a good ovation from the City support who cheered as Stephen Wright went forward and sent a long ranger over the keeper but out for a goal kick.
Leon Barnett produced his best defensive clearance of the match on the half hour mark before Wood headed a corner wide and an Eastwood shot failed to bring a reward.
There was some frustration amongst the City support as Bell was allowed to force a corner after Luke Williams again charged through.
The home fans booed their team off at the break but six minutes into the second half, they were all cheering as Middlesbrough got the opening goal of the game.
It started from a City attack through Eastwood on the right, who played in Gunnarson to hit a shot that Jones parried and then saved the rebound from Morrison. Middlesbrough went straight up the other end and it was Scott McDonald who netted.
The lead was only to last six minutes as the ball came into the area at the end where the City fans were. Clinton Morrison held the ball up before the ball was played back for a shot which bounced off a defender's legs. There was Aron Gunnarsson on the right of the six yard box and he found the space to thump the ball into the net before racing over to the City fans.
The goal was duly celebrated and there was a big chorus of "Twist n Shout" and "Coventry" as we urged the City players to go and get another.
Clingan and McIndoe sent balls across the face of the goal, and although, the home side had a goal ruled out in the 76th minute, there was still the belief that we could get another.
Gunnarsson wasted a good chance and with four minutes left, substitute Shaun Jeffers had an even better chance but sent the ball just the wrong side of the post.
Eastwood also went wide of the mark as City ended the game being clapped off whilst the home support were loudly booed with some that we passed on our way back to the car, clearly under the impression that Middlesbrough would not be promoted back to the Premier League whilst Gordon Strachan was in charge.