A LOOK at the key stats from the match against Middlesbrough.

BRAD FRIEDEL: Kept Rovers in the game with a couple of top drawer saves but left stranded by a cruel deflection for the goal...7

LUCAS NEILL: Caught out on a couple of occasions but another typically whole-hearted display from the tough-tackling Aussie...6

MARTIN TAYLOR: Rovers' most likely source of a goal on the day but never really appeared comfortable in midfield...6

HENNING BERG: Forced to endure an uncomfortable afternoon against the lively Boksic...6

CRAIG SHORT: Desperately unlucky for the goal after making what looked like a timely intervention...6

TUGAY: Didn't grab the game by the scruff of the neck as we know he can as Boro ran the show in midfield...6

DAVID DUNN: Looked threatening on occasions in the first half but disappeared after the break...6

KEITH GILLESPIE: Always dangerous with the ball at his feet but starved of quality service in the second half...7

MATT JANSEN: Needs more support up front in order to utilise his talents to their maximum...6

EGIL OSTENSTAD: Took up some useful positions but never got a clear sight of goal before he ran out of steam...6

DAMIEN DUFF: Lively in the first half but finished up playing far too deep as a result of Rovers' tactical switch at half time...6

SUBS:

GRABBI (for Ostenstad, 63)...7

JOHANSSON (for Short, 68)...6

MAHON (for Duff, 71)...6

NOT USED: JOHNSON, FILAN

OPPOSITE CAMP:

CROSSLEY...Rode his luck at times 7

SOUTHGATE...Mr Consistent at the back 8

EHIOGU...Rock-like defensively 7

QUEUDREU...Given a roasting by Gillespie 5

COOPER...Did well against Duff 7

JOHNSTON...Saw plenty of the ball 7

MARINELLI...Flattered to deceive 6

MUSTOE...Solid contribution in midfield 7

GREENING...Ran show in the first half 8

BOKSIC...Always a threat up front 7

NEMETH...Full of intelligent movement 7

SUBS:

GAVIN...(for Queudreu, 61) 7

WILSON...(for Marinelli, 78) 6

WINDASS...(for Boksic, 87)

STATS:

Goal attempts: Rovers 14 Boro 9

Shots on target: Rovers 4 Boro 6

Woodwork: Rovers 1 Boro 0

Offsides: Rovers 3 Boro 3

Corners: Rovers 6 Boro 3

Free kicks: Rovers 9 Boro 7

Attendance...23,849

REFEREE...Barry Knight (Kent) 7

YELLOW CARDS: Rovers - Gillespie (foul) Boro - Cooper (foul), Boksic (dissent)

RED CARDS: None

TIME FOR ACTION:

05Martin Taylor plays a clever one-two with Matt Jansen but then screws his shot wide

17Alen Boksic shoots straight at Brad Friedel after Carlos Marinelli's free-kick caused panic

20Friedel comes to the rescue again to deny Jonathan Greening

23Taylor can't believe his luck as he watches his shot strike the foot of the post

39Boksic wriggles free again but this time fires wide

45It's 1-0 Boro as Craig Short's clearance strikes Boksic and loops over Friedel

45David Dunn deceives Mark Crossley with a swerving 20 yarder but the keeper still saves it with his legs

52Szilard Nemeth drags a golden chance wide after a slip by Short

88Crossley saves the day for Boro by palming over a rasper from Ciccio Grabbi

90Friedel denies Boro a second with an expert stop from Mark Wilson