Norwich and Derby excursions showed in Middlesbrough's defeat at Huddersfield after uncharacteristic errors from Neil Warnock's side

For the first time in the league this season you couldn’t really argue with the result.

Middlesbrough were second best at Huddersfield despite conceding a late winner with five minutes to go. It was unlike anything we’ve seen from Neil Warnock’s side this term – to concede one goal from open play is rare, to let in three was unthinkable.

But Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at the John Smith’s Stadium highlighted something Warnock has been saying since the summer. Boro’s squad is thin and lacks depth in certain areas.

That’s not particularly encouraging to hear after the third game out of nine in a hectic 29-day spell, yet Warnock’s side did look a little leggy, particularly in midfield, following their recent excursions against Norwich and Derby.

George Saville and Jonny Howson were excellent in those matches but struggled to get to grips with the game in West Yorkshire, with Huddersfield dominating possession and controlling proceedings in the engine room.

It’s a boost for Warnock that Sam Morsy returned to the bench at the John Smith’s Stadium following a recent hamstring issue. it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 29-year-old involved against Swansea on Wednesday.

Yet fatigue wasn’t the sole reason for this defeat, besides Championship teams are more than used to playing mid-week fixtures.

As Warnock pointed out after the game Boro should have been out of sight in the opening 35 minutes, before Terriers midfielder Carel Eiting cancelled out Marvin Johnson’s opener.

Huddersfield may have seen more of the ball yet the hosts were causing problems on the counter attack in the early exchanges, with Marcus Tavernier and Johnson looking bright.

Despite missing a gilt-edged chance when the game was still goalless, Assombalonga appeared to have the beating of centre-back Richard Stearman who was struggling to keep pace with Boro’s attackers.

Ironically it was a forced substitution which shored up the hosts’ defence, as Stearman was forced off and replaced by the more mobile Rarmani Edmonds-Green on 30 minutes.

From that moment it was Boro’s backline which appeared vulnerable as Eiting and Fraizer Campbell put Huddersfield 2-1 ahead in a pivotal eight-minute spell before half-time.

For the first, Boro failed to clear their lines as Howson lost a challenge on the edge of the area. Paddy McNair was then a little sluggish to close down Eiting and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli probably should have done better with the shot.

For the second, Saville conceded possession cheaply to Lewis O’Brien in midfield before Campbell cut inside of Dael Fry and scuffed an effort beyond Bettinelli.

Warnock’s side haven’t made those sorts of mistakes this season, hence the reason they had the best defence in the Championship before kick-off.

That disastrous spell will have come as a shock to the system and Boro were slow to react when the game restarted after half-time.

Despite a promising start to the game, the visitors’ attacking play slowly waned, even when Warnock introduced Chuba Akpom in the 68th minute.

A late penalty from Assombalonga appeared to have rescued Boro a point, yet the Teessiders could hardly argue when Josh Koroma cut in from the left to score an 85th-minute winner.

An afternoon to forget and uncharacteristic performance for Warnock’s men.

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