Middlesbrough will certainly feel harshly treated after falling to a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City.

It was the referee who was the villain of the piece as a number of poor decisions gifted the Swans all three points on an afternoon that could, and should have gone the Teessiders' way.

Here's how the afternoon unfolded.

Team news Neil Warnock made four changes for this one with George Saville, Sam Morsy, Duncan Watmore and Yannick Bolasie coming into the side.

They replace Djed Spence, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Neeskens Kebano and Marcus Tavernier who missed out through injury.

First half

It was a cagey start but Middlesbrough got the first chance of the game as George Saville teed up Anfernee Dijksteel who saw his effort deflected over the bar.

Yannick Bolasie had another opportunity minutes later when his headed effort from a corner went over.

Neil Warnock's side were dealt an early blow, however, when Anfernee Dijksteel went down injured and was replaced by Djed Spence.

Middlesbrough were doing well to stifle the hosts and found themselves with another half chance as Marc Bola found Duncan Watmore who's effort was cleared behind.

But while the Teessiders were running a tight operation they let themselves down late in the half when a late mix-up allowed Andre Ayew to fire home from a tight angle.

Half-time: Swansea City 1-0 Middlesbrough

Second half Chuba Akpom was introduced at the start of the second half to provide a clearer focal point to the Middlesbrough attack and the striker latched onto a pass early in the second period but flashed an effort wide.

Middlesbrough the back of the net shortly after through Marc Bola however the referee controversially ruled it out after adjudging Bolasie to have committed a foul.

Saville then had a chance midway through the half but headed wide of the mark, before Warnock brought on Neeskens Kebano in place of Bolasie.

Marvin Johnson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing were introduced late on to try and find a way back into the game for Middlesbrough - something that they found in the final minutes of the game.

Sam Morsy was the man to get it when a stroke of fortune saw his effort beat Freddie Woodman, however that wasn't to be the last action as another controversial decision saw Swansea awarded a late penalty which Ayew converted to secure three points for the hosts.

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Ramona3 added 08:48 - Mar 8 Nice!
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