Latte Lathe Double Boosts Boro's Promotion Bid
Middlesbrough's hopes of making it into the play-offs in the EFL Championship secured another following a home victory against Swansea City – although a draw with Hull has left Michael Carrick's side sweating on a place in the end-of-season top six.
'Boro headed into the game against Swansea at the Riverside on a six-game unbeaten run, which had seen the Vertu Motors-backed side rise up the table towards the top six places.
Swansea arrived chasing points to climb away from the relegation zone, but it was the home side that had the better of the first half, creating a number of chances before the opening goal finally arrived in stoppage time.
Having earlier missed a chance to hit the back of the net, Latte Lath was able to find space in the box to fire in a shot that beat 'keeper Carl Rushworth and nestled in the corner.
Swansea would see more of the ball as the game wore on but would manage just a single shot on target, which Seny Dieng was able to save from Jamal Lowe.
'Boro wrapped up the points with little over ten minutes left to run when Finn Azaz played in Latte Lath to curl the ball into the net beyond Rushworth to double the lead.
With Norwich and Coventry ahead both failing to win mid-week fixtures, 'Boro sat seven points off the top six but with a game in hand away at Hull, who were also looking for three points to try and earn a play-off spot of their own.
Latte Lath was able to maintain his form from the weekend when he scored the opening goal just four minutes in to put 'Boro into the lead.
Dieng was forced into a smart save to prevent Jacob Greaves from bringing Hull level, but he could do nothing to prevent Jaden Philogene's cross from finding a way into the net.
Hull then hit the front before half-time when Jean Michael Seri dispossessed Lewis O'Brien before smashing a shot into the net beyond Dieng.
Middlesbrough, unbeaten in eight games, were able to equalise when Azaz played a quick one-two with Isaiah Jones before firing the ball home to earn a point, with a huge game against Ipswich to come as 'Boro bid to reduce the now six point gap to the top six.
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