Work still to do on and off the pitch as big kick-off nears

MIDDLESBROUGH'S preseason reached its conclusion following a 2-2 draw with Deportivo la Coruna at the Riverside.

- By CRAIG JOHNS [e-mail] @craig_johns

With Tommy Conway at the double for Boro, Rob Edwards' side ensured they didn't head into the first game of the season against Swansea City next weekend off the back of a loss at least.

But in failing to defeat their Spanish visitors, they also go into the new campaign yet to win under the new head coach.

Far from the finished article by the head coach's own admission there is still plenty of work to be done both on and off the pitch. But with this ultimately about preparing the side for Swansea's visit next weekend, here's the debrief.

THE GOALS

4 mins: Boro 1-0, Conway - Boro's press pays off early as Luke Ayling wins the ball back deep in the Deportivo half before playing a one-two with Morgan Whittaker to get in behind. He then squares across goal for Conway to tap in.

11 mins: Deportivo 1-1, Hernandez - Deportivo work it from left to right after Silvera fails to win the ball. Ayling allows Yeremay Hernandez a bit too much space as he cuts into the box due to being wary of the runner to his other side and it allows Hernandez the space to curl one into the far top corner. It's a sublime finish.

49 mins: Deportivo 2-1, Noubi - From a corner, Ayling can't quite reach it at the near post and Dael Fry then misses his attempt to head it clear too, which allows Lucas Noubi to power a header beyond Sol Brynn, whose hand to the ball turns it onto the bar but isn't enough to keep it out.

67 mins: Boro 2-2, Conway - A moment of individual excellence from Silvera as he skips past no less than three Deportivo challenges to get from just inside the opposition half to the byline. From there, he finds the square ball across to Conway who has another tap in.

BORO'S BEST PLAYER