Boksic spot on to ease the Blues

Since day one of his Riverside tenure, Steve McClaren has insisted he wants to entertain the fans - well he's getting his wish away from home anyway.

For the second match on the trot, following the 2-1 win at Leicester a week ago, Boro came from behind to save themselves from defeat but this time in controversial fashion.

Two goals from striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was only given clearance to play on Friday after having a three match suspension overturned, gave the hosts a deserved two-goal lead.

But a strike from Robbie Stockdale gave McClaren hope and then the linesman gave Boro a late, late opportunity to grab an equaliser from the spot.

Two minutes into injury time a cross from the right rebounded off Graeme Le Saux's left arm and with the referee waving play on his assistant pointed to the spot and suddenly a draw was on the cards for the visitors.

Up stepped comeback man Alen Boksic and he rifled the dead ball into the roof of the net, to ensure Boro's unbeaten Premiership run was extended to three games.

Boro couldn't have argued about the fact they were trailing at the break, but similarly the Blues deserved to surrender their advantage after a stirring second half performance from Boro.

After taking maximum points from their last two games Boro went into the clash confident, especially with the news that star striker Boksic was pencilled into make his first appearance since the opening day defeat to Arsenal.

But centre-back Ugo Ehiogu was ruled out after he twisted his back in training on Thursday, Republic of Ireland Under 21 international Jason Gavin deputised. Reserve keeper Mark Crossley came in for the suspended Mark Schwarzer.

Chelsea bad boys Frank Lampard, John Terry, Jody Morris and Eidur Gudjohnsen were all included in the Blues squad despite being fined £130,000 - two weeks' wages - for going on a drinking binge just 24 hours after thousands were killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks on America.

Boro did not start the clash well and Chelsea capitalised with just three minutes on the clock.

Gudjohnsen fed Hasselbaink through the middle and after knocking the ball past Crossley, who was left stranded outside the area, the Dutchman had the easy task of hitting the back of the net.

Chelsea were causing all manner of problems for the visitors and surprisingly it was not until the 37th minute they extended their lead.

A Boudweijn Zenden corner rebounded off Mario Melchiot and fell nicely for Hasselbaink, who turned and volleyed home.

It was exactly what Claudio Ranieri's men deserved for 45 minutes of free-flowing football with pace that Boro could do little about.

Had Boro winger Jonathan Greening done better with a glorious opportunity midway through the first half proceedings may have been different.

The former Manchester United winger headed over from six yards after Chelsea stopper Ed de Goey failed to palm away a Brian Deane header across the box convincingly.

A frustrated McClaren, who admits a lot of work still needs to be done to improve the club's fortunes, knew he had to change something to try to alter the flow of the game.

And the England coach decided to introduce Robbie Stockdale on the left in place of Allan Johnston, the Boro chief also changed from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2 formation - with Greening pushed into the middle.

The move had little effect though, and at the start of the second period Chelsea had three great chances to add to their goal tally.

First Zenden's shot deflected marginally wide before Slavisa Jokanovic and Gudjohnsen both failed to trouble Crossley from six yards.

At this point Boro needed a lifeline and an unlikely source provided exactly that on the hour.

A Paul Ince corner was headed as far as sub Stockdale on the edge of 18-yard box. The 21-year-old chested down and his powerful volley shaved William Gallas' back and ended up flying past de Goey into the net.

All of a sudden the travelling Boro fans had hopes of earning a point at Stamford Bridge - a ground the Teessiders haven't won on in the top-flight since 1975.

McClaren sensed that they could pull something out of this game and he introduced skilful Carlos Marinelli and Mark Wilson to the fray, replacing Robbie Mustoe and Curtis Fleming.

Boro had succeeded in quelling the impressive forward play of Chelsea and the belief within the Boro ranks was evident and that was epitomised by inspirational skipper Ince in the centre of the pitch.

And with five minutes remaining Gavin found himself in unusual territory heading over when he should have at least forced de Goey into a save.

Gianfranco Zola came off the bench late on and with his first touch he curled a right-foot free-kick over the wall but, with Crossley stranded, Gareth Southgate headed clear.

And then in stoppage time referee Rob Styles awarded the penalty and Boksic stepped up to earn the Teessiders a share of the spoils.

l Boro captain Paul Ince last night revealed he and his Boro team-mates will meet Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor to discuss the possible players' strike.

Taylor is demanding that the PFA receive a greater slice of TV revenue - and will campaign for votes when he visits the Riverside Stadium to meet the Boro squad.

Speaking at Stamford Bridge after yesterday's 2-2 draw Ince also disclosed that Taylor has already held talks with Blues players.

He said: ''We're still waiting for Gordon Taylor to come up and see the lads. I know he's seen a few of the Chelsea lads, but he hasn't come up and seen us yet.

''We'll see what he's got to say and we'll all decide. I'll have to make a decision when we speak to him.''

Asked how he will vote, Ince added: ''I don't know. It's too early to say at the moment. My main objective as captain is to make sure we just keep rolling and keep trying to pick up points along the way.

''Whatever will happen will happen.

"I don't have a say in that my objective is to make sure we keep our feet on the ground and keep kicking on.''

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