Preston 2-2 Middlesbrough match report: The Daily Mirror Verdict

Gordan Strachan will take a long hard look at his Middlesbrough squad this week when he is appointed manager.

And for Sean St. Ledger, the former Celtic coach’s arrival, could well make or break what could mushroom into a career-defining season for the defender.

The Republic of Ireland international was signed on loan from Preston by Gareth Southgate in September, with the view to completing a £4.5 million transfer in January.

His loan has coincided with him blossoming into a regular international under Eire boss Giovanni Trapattoni, and he is in contention to face France in the World Cup play-off game next month.

St. Ledger, however, concedes Strachan could well scupper his chances of World Cup glory and securing a permanent deal to Teeside, as he was signed by the now ejected Southgate.

St. Ledger said: “Hopefully not, I think there might be something in place so that’s it made permanent. When the new manager comes in, I’ll have to work hard to make sure that I’m playing.

“I’ve got the France game coming up and I need to make sure that I’m playing to have any chance of playing in that game. So it will be down to me to make sure that I’m playing to impress the new manager.

“A new manager can have his own ideas, but I don’t think that just goes for me, it goes for everybody. Everyone starts afresh and we have to go from there.

“This is a massive club and I want to be part of a Championship winning team.”

If they are to achieve that goal, then Strachan will surely have to stamp out their defensive frailties on the road.

Billy Jones’ injury-time headed equaliser was the third time this term they have conceded a late goal on the road – in a game they should have wrapped up in the opening 45 minutes.

And Adam Johnson admitted it is a worry trend.

Johnson said: “It’s happening too much this season. There’s something not right, you can’t fault the way we played. If they were honest we played them off the park all game.”

His sentiments were echoed by stand-in boss Colin Cooper.

He said: “We’re disappointed to concede the late goal.”

The England Under-21 international was watched by Everton boss David Moyes and a cohort of scouts and all will have left with their notepads filled to brim of his excellence.

Andy Lonergan was at his best to foil Gary O’Neill and Marvin Emnes early on but was at fault as O’Neill’s free-kick squirmed under his body on the stroke of half-time.

Paul Parry rifled in the equaliser just after the hour mark after the Boro defence failed to clear Jon Parkin’s header that was saved by Brad Jones.

Johnson, then, took centre stage as surge past two defenders and smashed in a left-footed drive into the far corner for his ninth of the season.

With victory seemingly in their grasp, Boro’s static defence allowed Jones to head in Ross Wallace’s late free-kick to again expose their Achilles heel.

Preston boss Alan Irvine said: “We showed great character once again and fantastic determination.”

These will be traits Strachan will be keen to instil in his own troops to halt the late goals.

Preston : Lonergan 7, Jones 7, Chilvers 5, Collins 5, Nolan 6, Parry 7, Shumulikoski 5 (Chaplow 57, 6), Carter 6 (Brown 77, 6), Wallace 6, Parkin 6, Mellor 6, (Elliott 90, 6)

Middlesbrough : Jones 6, Hoyte 7, Wheater 6, St. Ledger 7, Bennett 7, O’Neill 7, Williams 7, Digard 6, Johnson 9, Lita 7, Emnes 7 (Franks 90, 6)

Referee: Keith Woolmer – 6