Middlesbrough 1 Heerenveen 0: Delano Burgzorg scores winner from spot

Burgzorg converted from the spot with virtually the final kick of the game after Emmanuel Latte Lath had seen an earlier penalty saved by Heerenveen goalkeeper Andries Noppert.

Boro boss Michael Carrick will have been satisfied with his side’s showing against Dutch opposition, but will be hoping a first-half injury to skipper Jonny Howson does not turn out to be serious.

Howson was forced off on the half-hour mark with what appeared to be a leg injury, and will be hoping the issue does not prevent him from appearing in next weekend’s Championship season-opener against Swansea City.

If Howson is passed fit to face the Swans, there is a good chance that the team that lined up against Heerenveen will also be the XI that kicks off next Saturday.

Having ended last season so strongly, Matt Clarke appears to have moved ahead of Darragh Lenihan and the unavailable Dael Fry in the central-defensive pecking order, while Howson and Hayden Hackney appear to remain Boro’s first-choice central-midfield partnership despite the summer signing of Aidan Morris. That could, of course, change if Howson is ruled out next weekend.

If this is to be the side that starts when the real business begins in seven days’ time, then Carrick will have been reasonably happy with their performance against opponents that finished 11th in the Dutch top-flight last season.

Boro were the better side for most of the game against Heerenveen, slicker and more purposeful in possession and pressing effectively high up the field as they looked to shut down their opponents’ passing.

The Teessiders should really have opened the scoring after just five minutes when Riley McGree dragged a shot wide after breaking into the right of the box, and went close again five minutes later.

Heerenveen goalkeeper Andries Noppert made a mess of his attempted clearance, but just about managed to scramble back to keep out Lukas Engel’s first-time effort from distance.

Boro goalkeeper Seny Dieng had his own rush of blood midway through the first half, conceding possession in his own area, only for Matt Clarke to hack clear after Ion Nicolaescu squared the ball across the area, but the home side’s afternoon took a turn for the worse on the half-hour mark.

Howson had gone down needing treatment behind his own goalline in the early stages of the game, but while he was passed fit to resume and carried on for another ten minutes’ or so after his initial problem, he was eventually forced to admit defeat as he hobbled out of the action. Hopefully, the fact he was able to continue for a period means his injury issue is not too severe.

Morris replaced Howson at the heart of midfield, and Boro should have claimed the lead eight minutes into the second half.

Isaiah Jones was released into the right-hand side of the area, and was sent sprawling by a challenge from Heerenveen goalkeeper Andries Noppert. Emmanuel Latte Lath stepped up from the spot, but Noppert made amends for his error as he kept out the Boro striker’s weakly-hit penalty down to his right.

Dieng made a good save at the other end moments later, turning a decent low effort around his left-hand post, while Noppert was also involved in the closing stages as he turned Finn Azaz’s free-kick around the post.

Morris fired a great effort from the corner of the box against the crossbar in the final minute, but just as a goalless draw was looking inevitable, Boro were handed a second chance to claim a winner from the spot.

Denzel Hall chopped down Isaiah Jones as he dribbled his way towards the edge of the six-yard box, and with Latte Lath having been substituted, Burgzorg stepped up and fired a successful spot-kick straight down the middle.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Dieng; Ayling, van den Berg (Lenihan 85), Clarke, Engel (McCormick 82); Howson (Morris 30), Hackney (Barlaser 77); Jones, Azaz, McGree (Burgzorg 73); Latte Lath (Coburn 77).

Subs (not used): Glover (gk), Brynn (gk), Dijksteel, Finch, Gilbert.