Luke fires Boro to opening win

Substitute Luke Williams smashed home a late winner as Middlesbrough recorded their first league success of the new season following a 3-2 triumph over Burnley at the Riverside.

Charlie Austin headed in unmarked to earn the Clarets a lead just before half-time but Nicky Bailey immediately equalised.

Boro then went ahead with eleven minutes remaining when Adam Reach curled home, until appearing to be denied victory as Junior Stanislas levelled just seven minutes later.

But within two minutes Luke Williams struck into the top corner to mark a great start at home for Tony Mowbray's new-look side.

It hadn't appeared so promising when Kieran Trippier delivered for Austin to head the visitors in front as the opening half was drawing towards its close.

However, Boro went straight back to the other end and Bailey drilled home from 20-yards to leave the honours shared at the break.

Ross Wallace had earlier missed an outstanding chance for the visitors when shooting wide with only goalkeeper Jason Steele left to beat. Emmanuel Ledesma struck a free-kick behind in reply and Austin then headed marginally off-target at the opposite end.

Boro had handed an immediate debut to new loan signing Josh McEachran and the Chelsea teenager headed wide during the second-half following a cross delivered by youngster Reach, who later fired in to earn his side a 79th minute lead after Curtis Main had already forced a fine stop from keeper Lee Grant.

But Stanislas headed in during a scramble to equalise until nineteen-year-old Luke Williams stepped forward to decide the issue with a wonderful strike just before the end.

Middlesbrough: Steele, Hoyte, R. Williams, Woodgate, Friend, Reach, Leadbitter, Bailey (Smallwood 72), Ledesma (Zemmama 69), McEachran, Main (L. Williams 84)

subs (unused): Leutwiler, Hines, Halliday, Haroun

Goals: Bailey (42), Reach (79), L. Williams (88)

Burnley: Grant, Trippier, Shackell, Edgar, Mills, McCann, Wallace (Mee 77), Marney, Stanislas, Vokes (Bartley 59), Austin

subs (unused): Jensen, Duff, Stock, MacDonald, McCartan

Goals: Austin (41), Stanislas (86)

Ref: Boyeson

Att: 15,559

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