New striker Kike scored for the third time in four games as Middlesbrough came from behind to triumph 2-1 at Bolton Wanderers.
Seb Hines’ challenge allowed Craig Davies to give the home side the lead from the penalty spot, but Grant Leadbitter did likewise at the other end after former Boro defender David Wheater handled.
Spanish marksman Kike then decided the contest in the visitors’ favour with the winner twelve minutes from time.
Newcomer Adam Clayton was handed a full debut following his recent arrival from Hudddersfield Town and Emilio Nsue also received a first start.
But it was Kike providing the early threat going forward, until the visitors fell behind to Davies’ penalty.
However, that was cancelled out by Leadbitter’s spot-kick just before the break. Lee Tomlin had already been frustrated with a previous claim.
Bolton’s Lee Chung-yong and Liam Feeney both saw opportunities following the interval, while Adam Bogdan superbly turned aside from Boro substitute Adam Reach.
He was though helpless when Kike was later released by the combination of Tomlin and Reach and snatched the points with a 79th minute finish.
Goalscorer Kike also had another chance but overran the ball while substitute Jermaine Beckford saw his effort disallowed at the other end.
Bolton Wanderers: Bogdan, McNaughton (White 90), Ream, Spearing, Mills, Wheater, Feeney, Trotter (Danns 83), Davies (Beckford 83), Mason, Lee Chung-yong
subs (unused): Dervite, Pratley, Lonergan, Kamara
Goals: Davies (pen 27)
Middlesbrough: Mejias, Abella, Omeruo, Hines, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton (Ayala 79), Nsue Lopez (Reach 63), Adomah, Tomlin (Whitehead 89), Kike
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, L. Williams, Husband, Fewster
Goals: Leadbitter (pen 45), Kike (78)
Ref: S. Martin
Att: 13,847
Share this article
