Tony Pulis rues missed chances as Mikel Obi, Boro lose again

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis says his side should have been out of sight against Preston following the 2-1 defeat to North End at Riverside for their second consecutive defeats.

Ashley Fletcher’s seventh of the campaign gave Boro the lead, but two goals in the second period after Dani Ayala was sent off proved to be a turning point at the Riverside.

Pulis rued missed chances in a positive first-half display from his side, which would have put Boro out of sight.

“Up until the sending off I thought we played really well,” he said.

“Last season I was saying it and this season I’ve been saying it, the amount of chances we create and the chances that we take is very poor.

“The players are fantastic and they work so hard, they’re a great group of lads, but we need to take more chances.

“Even if it was a sending off, we should be three, maybe four, goals up and it doesn’t affect the game at all.

“To be 1-0 up at that time, highlights what it’s been like since I came to the football club – we don’t put the ball in the back of the net.”