Neil Warnock delivers verdict on Middlesbrough's defending, Britt Assombalonga’s miss and Marvin Johnson after Huddersfield defeat

Boro took the lead through Marvin Johnson at the John Smith’s Stadium but went 2-1 down before half-time after goals from Carel Eiting and Fraizer Campbell.

After failing to take their chances in the first half, the visitors struggled to create opportunities after the break but did draw level through an 83rd-minute Britt Assombalonga penalty.

Yet it was Huddersfield who took a deserved three points after Josh Koroma’s winner five minutes from time.

Speaking to the press via Zoom after the game, Warnock said: “To go in at half-time 2-1 down was an absolute travesty really but I couldn’t really give the lads a rollocking at half-time, it was just silly mistakes that led to the goals

“I just think there were so many opportunities to put the game to bed and even when we came back I would have liked to have made a change at 2-2 but we didn’t get time.

“That was disappointing the way it came about without picking on individuals but we still could have had a penalty with a minute to go when Britt has been pulled down. I think it’s a definite penalty.

“I can’t really fault them for effort. It's just disappointing to concede goals like that when we have done really well with the defending of late.”

Warnock made two changes to his side following Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Derby as Johnson and Djed Spence came in on the flanks.

Johnson was Boro’s standout player in the first half, scoring the opener and creating a golden chance for Assombalonga which was missed at 0-0.

When asked about Spence and Johnson, Warnock added: "I’ve told them both if they play in those roles they have to be a bit more attack minded because there are goals to be had and I thought there were goals to be had today.

“Marv’s ball for Britt’s miss, I’ve watched it back and I don’t know how that didn’t go in if I’m honest.”

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