Conway keeps his cool - and Boro's season alive - in last-ditch drama

TOMMY Conway showed immense confidence and composure as he fired a stoppage-time penalty to seal victory for Middlesbrough to keep their season alive.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Without the 93rd-minute spot kick, Boro would have ended the day five points off the top six with just three games remaining. Instead, adding to Finn Azaz's early opener, Conway stayed calm under immense pressure and fired Boro to three huge points that keeps their season and play-off aspirations alive.

Michael Carrick made one change to the side that lost at Millwall last weekend. Marcus Forss started ahead of Delano Burgzorg on the right, which meant Morgan Whit taker continued at ten, with Azaz from the left as they both lined up against their former sides. While George Edmundson returned to the bench after injury, Riley McGree was once again absent after picking up a knock in training.

Boro got off to a great start. They quickly established control in the game and were ahead in just the 12th minute. Anfernee Dijksteel split the defence with a lovely ball in behind for Tommy Conway, who beat the offside trap really well. He was unlucky as his chip bounced out off the post, but Azaz was on hand to fire home the rebound.

Boro were looking good at that point as Plymouth the league's worst travelling side were on the ropes. As Boro have done far too often this season, they gifted their opponents a way back into the game. Under pressure while playing out from the back, Jonny Howson put Aidan Morris under pressure and when the American couldn't get rid quick enough, Mustapha Bundu took possession and ran through one on one before producing a superb finish. It was only Plymouth's ninth away goal all season.