Boro sub Patrick Bamford’s goal deep in injury time saw Middlesbrough grab a 2-2 draw against the Blues at Portman Road. Freddie Sears had put Town ahead with his second goal in two games but Stewart Downing equalised for the Teessiders on 71. Martyn Waghorn thought he’d scored the winner with his 16th of the season from the spot after Championship debutant sub Shane McLoughlin had won the penalty, but Bamford headed the leveller six minutes into time added-on.

Cole Skuse, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Sears returned to the Blues’ line-up with the injured Mustapha Carayol and Ben Folami dropping out, while Luke Woolfenden moved to the bench.

Town again started with three at the back with Jordan Spence at right wing-back having overcome the knee injury which had made him a doubt going into the match.

Middlesbrough, who went into the game confirmed in the play-offs but looking to seal fifth spot, were unchanged from the team which beat Millwall 2-0 at home last week. Former Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter was on the bench.

Town started brightly and struck the first shot in the third minute, Martyn Waghorn screwing wide after exchanging passes with stand-in skipper Skuse, playing ahead of fellow midfielders Tristan Nydam and Callum Connolly, on the right of the box.

The Blues almost went in front via a freakish goal in the fifth minute when Waghorn scuffed a corner from the right and the ball hit the outside of Darren Randolph’s post.

Confident-looking Town continued to dominate and on seven Knudsen shot wide from distance.

And a minute later the Blues took the lead. Sears outmuscled Teessiders’ skipper Ben Gibson on the right, then brought the ball into the area before smashing a low shot beyond the diving Randolph’s right hand.

The striker gleefully celebrated his second goal in two matches, following on from a 38-game goal drought, in front of the tunnel with kit man James Pullen before the rest of the team joined in.

On 12 Skuse picked up the first yellow card for a game for a foul on Adama Traore, then - after Muhamed Besic had curled over for the visitors on the quarter hour - the midfielder scuffed a shot wide from distance.

Boro had got more into the game after Town’s goal and in the 22nd minute Ryan Shotton’s low cross from the right was deflected into the side-netting.

The Teessiders continued to dominate possession and were increasingly threatening to get on terms. On 34 Webster diverted Stewart Downing’s low cross only an inch or so wide of Bialkowski’s right post.

Tony Pulis’s side went close again from the resultant corner, Daniel Ayala stabbing a low effort from beyond the far post which Connolly cleared off the line.

The players briefly came off for a drinks break on 35 on what was a very warm Portman Road afternoon, then soon after they returned to the field Waghorn shot wide.

Boro seemed to lose their momentum following the delay, then just before the half-time break Nydam was yellow-carded for a foul on Traore and Sears joined him in the book for kicking the ball away.

Neither team threatened again before referee David Coote’s whistle signalled the end of the half, prompting applause from the Blues support.

Town had started strongly and grabbed their goal through a rejuvenated Sears. Boro came more into it after the goal and will feel they deserved to level but the Blues defended resolutely and on a couple of occasions desperately to maintain their lead.

Chances were rare in the opening minutes of the second half. On 54 Ayala headed well over from Traore’s corner on the right.

The Blues’ first real scare of the half came on 56 when a corner when Carter-Vickers half-cleared a corner to the edge of the box and Besic hit a low shot which Adama turned into Bialowski’s arms from close range. Either side of the Blues keeper and the scores would have been level.

But almost immediately Town twice went close to increasing their lead. First, Sears ended a flowing Blues move by crossing from the right for Waghorn, whose shot at the far post was brilliantly diverted over by Randolph.

From the resultant Waghorn corner, Skuse met the ball perfectly on the volley at the back of the box and only an even better save from the Irish international prevented the midfielder from netting a stunning second goal of the season.

Boro failed to make anything of a break which saw them two on one in the Town half following a Blues corner, then Waghorn sent Sears away. The earlier scorer outmuscled Ayala but was crowded out by Gibson.

Bamford was introduced for Jonny Howson on 61, then seven minutes later the sub tried to punch in a cross from the right but referee Coote spotted it, although surprisingly didn’t show a yellow card.

Town had continued to defend resolutely but in the 71st minute the visitors got back on terms. A corner from the left was cleared to Downing, who struck a low shot through a crowd of players and into the net to the unsighted Bialkowski’s right.

The Teessiders weren’t too far away from a second three minutes later, Assombalonga forcing Bialkowski into a sharp save to his left with a shot from the right of the box.

Town swapped Nydam for McLoughlin, who was making his Championship debut, and then Connolly, who was applauded off after a fine season on loan from Everton, for Luke Hyam.

The Blues continued to have to man the pumps at the back but were increasingly threatening on the break, Spence doing well to cut in from the right on 78 but hitting his shot into Randolph’s arms.

But a second Town goal wasn’t too much longer in coming. Sub McLoughlin chased what looked to be a lost cause on the left and beat Gibson to the ball, the defender upending the former Republic of Ireland U18 international somewhat agriculturally as he broke into the area. Referee Coote had no hesitation in awarding the penalty.

Waghorn took the kick and slammed Town’s first goal from the spot this season to Randolph’s left to grab his 16th of a memorable first season for the Blues. The goal ended a 25-game run of Town having failed to score in both halves of a league match.

The South Shields-born frontman might have claimed his 12th assist of the campaign on 85 having sent Sears away, although he underhit his pass, but the opening goalscorer shot too close to Randolph having done well to work himself the space to shoot.

Besic shot straight at Bialkowski before Woolfenden replaced Spence for the final three minutes plus injury time.

As the game entered five minutes of injury time Sears chipped well over at one end before the visitors put the Blues under significant pressure.

Bialkowski and a number of his defenders desperately kept the ball out during a scramble, then the Poland keeper pawed a shot from Traore out and the ball was cleared.

Boro thought they’d levelled when Ayala turned home from close range after Besic’s shot had hit the bar, but the former Norwich defender had strayed offside. Soon after, Gibson was booked for a foul on Waghorn.

Town appeared to have seen off the worst of the onslaught in what had stretched to six minutes of injury time, but with the final action of the game the Teessiders levelled for the second time, sub Bamford rising to nod past Bialkowski. The final whistle followed within seconds of the restart.

The late goal was tough on the Blues who had deserved all three points from a very entertaining game having withstood periods of Boro pressure and having regained the lead after good work from league debutant McLoughlin.

They also had opportunities to seal it but the Teessiders kept up the pressure in injury time and had gone close prior to their second goal.

The draw and Norwich’s 5-1 thrashing at Sheffield Wednesday means the Blues finish the season in 12th, two places ahead of the Canaries on goal difference with Leeds United between the two East Anglian rivals.

What’s been a fractious season has ended in a positive note with an 18,829 crowd backing the Blues vocally and the 4-0 win at Reading having been followed by a very positive and promising display against Boro if not in the end another victory.

Town: Bialkowski, Carter-Vickers, Webster, Knudsen, Spence (Woolfenden 88), Skuse (c), Connolly (Hyam 77), Nydam (McLoughlin, Kenlock, Sears, Waghorn. Unused: M Crowe, Gleeson, Morris, Cotter.

Middlesbrough: Randolph, Friend, Ayala, Shotton, Gibson (c), Clayton (Harrison 81), Assombalonga, Howson (Bamford 61), Downing, Besic, Traore. Unused: Konstantopoulos, Fabio, Leadbitter, Cranie, Fry. Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire). Att: 18,829 (Boro: 1,874).

Photo: TWTD

truckerblue added 16:39 - May 6 Be careful what you wish for!!! Ha ha ha ha. We wished for the pelican to go and we've played football since. Not a bad bunch of players really are they.
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blueboy1981 added 16:51 - May 6 What a different player Sears all of a sudden is ?? No prizes for knowing why - just that we now have the Freddie we all know he can be, and is proving to any doubters he may have. If a certain person gets the Barnsley job, the best the Supporters can look forward to is having a sleep every home game. You are all very welcome. Great atmosphere today - we have our Club, and Portman Road back, which I have to say looked good today. Great to be there today - an enjoyable experience once again, as it should be.

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pragmatic added 16:52 - May 6 Skuse at last getting some rightful recognition. Who ever the new manager is they will need to be given time by supporters as next season the championship could be even tougher for clubs of our stature but nothing is unsurmountable,
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blue86 added 17:27 - May 6 What a game! Bart again today was outstanding, waghorn also had a very good game. Shame we didn't hold on for the win, but it's nice to end the season above Norwich! Looking forward to next season. Coyb
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:27 - May 6 Blueboy1981, I agree, Sears has been messed up and wasted by McCarthy. He was signed to score goals,and was doing well, until he got shunted about . This season has been a nightmare for him. He looked well up for it today, and has worked well under Bryan Klug, a more confident Freddie could well have bagged a hat trick today.
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Tommyc added 17:35 - May 6 As Chairman of Peterborough Sports in Northern Premier League my opportunities to watch Town are restricted. Today felt like the 2 year stay in Premiership at turn of century with a crowd TOTALLY behind the team creating a cracking atmosphere and game was fantastic. Yep late equaliser a shame but Boro were good value for a point. Keep the faith
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Sospiri added 18:14 - May 6 What a difference since Mick has gone. Such a relief. And no more of those horrible interviews with him, just the nice Mr. Klug. Optimism returns!
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wherescounago added 18:30 - May 6 One swallow doesn't make a summer but lets hope what happened today is the start of a new beginning.
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happybeingblue added 18:39 - May 6 Really enjoyable game 37 years to the day we beat az67 3-0 in the uefa cup final and in the fanzone before kick off watching highlights of 78 cup final 40 yrs to the day you have to realise what a special club this is and today the old pride is starting to return again as we seem to have renewed belief in a more passing style approach Freddie sears is obviously a lot happier in last few weeks as are the fans who were very good today the players have been coached a certain way for so long I was really pleased how they performed today within a few weeks of a new approach already I can see positives for next season

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thechangingman added 18:40 - May 6 200+ mile round trip was well worth it!! A great afternoon's entertainment in the sunshine with my 6 year old daughter enjoying her first EVER Town game. What on earth is there NOT to like? Onwards and upwards now as we appoint a new manager, make a couple of key additions and go again... COYB!!!
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EssexTractor added 18:44 - May 6 Today what a difference. The sun was out. A nostalgic day as past heroes returned The crowd in good voice. I have been highly critical of Cole Skues, was it the " new coaching team" who today encouraged him to play his best game of the season. Whatever the words they need to be repeated next season. Bart will he stay, again quite magnificent. First task for new manager. Spence sometimes good then bad then awful , but today full of life , clever forward running. Again encouraged by the Klug Clan? Carter Vickers strong, will be missed if he goes. Sears so pleased that his face smiled again. Waghorn an absolute asset this season. But although today we will recall more than the majority of this seasons abysmal matches, we do know that next season our ability to really improve, means we must be able to retain the ball , to move with more pace and creativity. Elements of positivity today. We went home happy (and honestly we know that Boro did not deserve to lose.) The new manager , who ever you are, our requests are so simple to you, make us go home happy next season, again and again......

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Cakeman added 18:52 - May 6 That was the most enjoyable game I have seen for three seasons. Not just for the football from both teams which was good but because it felt as though a large cloud had been lifted and the whole club was united again. Nice to see players with smiles on their faces again which gives a good indication that they too are pleased we have a new era to look forward to. I thought the support today was excellent. Long may it continue.

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Dissboyitfc added 19:02 - May 6 Today felt like a win, was so much more enjoyable than a 1-0 victory where we have one late attempt and score and then bring on some defenders to see the game out. Best form of defence is to attack!!!
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:21 - May 6 Great to see us still going for goals when 2-1 up. And none of that ridiculous messing around next to the corner flag to waste time, even though there were a couple of times when we could (and no doubt would in the past) have done that. Congrats to both teams for an entertaining game. Great feeling of optimism and togetherness around the club at the moment. Long may it continue!

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Steelmonkey added 19:30 - May 6 I'd just like to say thank you Brian Klug. Firstly for proving that with the right attitude instilled into the team that they are able to compete with genuine promotion candidates, despite having so many players unavailable, and secondly for giving me the thrills and entertainment that have been missing for so long from Protman Road. Thank you for being able to go some way to be giving us back the Ipswich team that plays the game the way it should be played with having so few games in charge. Never again do I want to see a manager at PR that denies their / our team the chance to take it to the opposition, a manager whose idea of a good game is when there are no shots on goal, no never again. What a totally different atmosphere there has been in the last two games at PR. Long may it continue, I've come away today and my voice is rather hoarse, I haven't enjoyed a game of football so much for many years. To all those that said "be careful what you wish for", I say if you honestly think that what you watched at PR a few games ago was good then you must be over the moon if you went today. I may be getting carried away, but what Brian Klug is doing for this team in such a short time makes me think that the future is not as bad as I first thought. If ME gets the selection right for our next manager we just might be in for a treat next season.

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Steelmonkey added 19:33 - May 6 Sorry, should read Portman
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SheptonMalletBlue added 19:45 - May 6 Thank you Brian for bringing some sanity back to our great football club, your humility has been very refreshing too. Roll on next season, I'm quite excited!!!!
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grumpyoldman added 20:15 - May 6 Couldn't be there today because of work. Sounds a good game, for once in a long time I am looking forward to next season. Also on Tuesday I will be high fiving a Norwich supporter I work with, he kept shouting “Fore” at me when we lost to Villa, revenge is a meal best served cold!!
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Cotton_eyed_joe added 20:45 - May 6 Wow, its been a long time since I came home from the SBR lower with my ears ringing and feeling like I have gone deaF. What an atmosphere and what a game. More of the same next season and I'll feel like the old Ipswich is back.
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blueboy1981 added 21:10 - May 6 Much speculation, and indeed interest, in the new management situation. The more I think about it, with BK and the young and upcoming coaches we already have at the Club - the more I like the idea of the Burley / Butcher combination. It ticks all the boxes for me - to compliment what we already have. With the knowledge and experience Burley /Butcher would bring, to add to what we already have - we would have every opportunity to hit the ground running next season. A young inexperienced Manager would have one hell of a task, and challenge to do that - not an easy task, and may well take much time, even with the necessary potential ability...... !!!

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Cloddyseedbed added 21:19 - May 6 And that my fellow supporters is all that I wished for when others were saying 'be carefull' !! A great day out at Portman Road and entertainment throughout the whole match. In just a few weeks the team has already changed the playing style. It wasn't rocket science was it? Congratulations Klugg, Hogg and Nash. In such a short time you have performed miracles, without talking about yourselves and moaning about the only available players you have because of the huge injury list. True professionals. Us fans can now go into the summer pre-season with a lot of hope and optimism. The lucky person who is to be named as our next manager should be pleased to be working as part of a team that is breeding success behind the scenes. The structure is there we just need a manager to play entertaining football, that is what they are coached in the U23's down to the young boys. Thoroughly entertaining today, every player gave their all and have bought into the new system, ball on the ground, pass and move. Amazing what you can accomplish when all players get 6,7 and 8's out of 10 instead of 4, 5's and 6's! Bart please stay and let us build a team in front of you, but I fear you'll be off tempted by the Premier League and I can't blame you for that. A fully fit squad at the start of next season with a few additions and no doubt a few outgoings too. We have nothing to fear, the futures bright. Roll on the new season and a positive thinking tactically aware manager. I for one can't wait.

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Geddis78 added 21:21 - May 6 I have regularly disagreed with the likes of Blueboy, Warktheline etc in their utter condemnation of McCarthy over the last 2 years. I have sat through countless dull games thinking this is the best I can expect given our budget. Well, today, I am happy to say I have seen what they were hoping for with a change of management. On paper, we had a very poor team but we more than matched a top team and played our part in a hugely entertaining game. Fantastic to see the ground fuller and the fans once again behind the team. Just imagine what we could be with a full team and 20000 regularly at the ground. Well, that's the dream for next year. Well done the team today. But an even bigger thumbs up to the fans for making Portman Road a proper championship venue again. Anyone waivering, GET YOUR SEASON TICKET FOR NEXT YEAR. Please!

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warktheline added 21:34 - May 6 @blueboy, ref burley/butcher, I said similar yesterday,it really could work! @geddis, very brave post from you pal! A massive thumbs up for that!👍.....the first drink is on me, first game at Portman Rd next campaign !
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planetblue_2011 added 22:57 - May 6 Shame about the late goal but seems like we can take a lot of positives out of the game. More football like this next season & we should do well. Glad Sears scored again & Waghorn has had a great first season with 16 goals⚽️ Get the right manager in & I think town will be up there next season with hopefully less injuries too. COYB
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RoyalAscotBlue added 23:12 - May 6 50% more people in the ground, watching football and being entertained... Careful what you wish for folks.
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