Opening defeat for Boro

Disappointment in their opening game for Middlesbrough after Craig Davies' winner eventually separated the two sides at Oakwell. The former Chesterfield striker seized upon a pass from David Perkins to break the deadlock right on half-time.

Boro earlier handed debuts to four of their newcomers in the shape of Jonathan Woodgate, George Friend, Grant Leadbitter and Emmanuel Ledesma.

And it was Ledesma who actually sent an effort wide while fellow recent arrival Leadbitter struck behind after Julio Arca was sent crashing inside the area.

The visitors then survived strong penalty claims for handball by skipper Rhys Williams and Stephen Foster headed over a Jacob Mellis free-kick.

Goalkeeper Jason Steele next held onto a firm Davies shot just past the half-hour and Jonathan Woodgate recovered well to clear when Justin Hoyte conceded possession.

The visitors replied with Leadbitter delivering a free-kick through the defensive wall and wide until Perkins set up Davies to find the bottom corner moments before the break.

He nearly had another one following more good work from Perkins early in the second-half but Steele saved well. Davies then headed wide and Mellis also narrowly missed from around twenty-yards as Boro continued to struggle.

But Nicky Bailey soon burst forward and forced David Gonzalez into a low stop before the visitors made a triple substitution.

Barnsley keeper Gonzalez then had to chase out to clear a loose backpass and opposite number Steele went full-length to deny Davies, while Woodgate stabbed wide at the other end after substitute Merouane Zemmama was blocked.

Boro defender Hoyte also drilled in an effort claimed at the second attempt by the keeper and Emnes was charged down before another replacement, Andy Halliday, headed a late corner through to the debutant Columbian.

Barnsley: Gonzalez, Golbourne, Foster, Wiseman, Stones, Done (Etuhu 17), Perkins, Cywka, Mellis (Dawson 76), Davies, Harewood

subs (unused): Lidakevicius, Hassell, Collins, Digby, Dagnall

Goals: Davies (45)

Middlesbrough: Steele, Hoyte, R. Williams, Woodgate, Friend (Halliday 60), Leadbitter, Bailey, Ledesma, Arca (Reach 60), Haroun (Zemmama 60), Emnes

subs (unused): Leutwiler, Hines, Smallwood, L. Williams

Ref: Adcock

Att: 12,203

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