Jonathan Woodgate reflects on late Derby County sucker punch

Jonathan Woodgate described Middlesbrough’s first-half performance against Derby County as ‘outstanding’ but says his side must take their chances.
Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate was left 'gutted' after his side's 2-2 draw against Derby.Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate was left 'gutted' after his side's 2-2 draw against Derby.
Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate was left 'gutted' after his side's 2-2 draw against Derby.

Boro took the lead twice against the Rams but were pegged back on both occasions as the sides played out a 2-2 draw at the Riverside.

After taking the lead through a Lewis Wing strike in the first-half, Jason Knight drew Derby level nine minutes after half-time.

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A Paddy McNair penalty then put Boro back ahead before a stoppage-time equaliser from Duane Holmes gave the visitors a point.

“I thought that first-half performance was absolutely outstanding,” said Woodgate after the match. “The negative is we didn’t kill the game off, like we should have done.

“We created chances and had some really top bits of play in that first half. Second half they came out and went a bit more direct, got their goal, cross-come-shot, in off the post and it’s fine margins.

“We get back into the game, create some more chances, get the penalty, 2-1 and then it’s an unbelievable volley, Paul Scholes esque.”

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The result brought to an end Boro’s four-match winning run in the Championship following an excellent Christmas period.

“When you’ve been on a run like we have, we’ve won the last four games, the lads are disappointed,” added Woodgate. “It does feel like a defeat.

“It’s important we pick ourselves up and realise how far we’ve come in a short space of time but I’m gutted to be honest.”