Brunt steals the show in Boro win

Chris Brunt starred against his former club as the Owls lost in a narrow 2-1 friendly fixture over Premier League side Middlesbrough. The young Owls winger scored one from the spot and hit the bar and post on seperate occasions as he threatened to cause an upset against the side who allowed him to leave Teeside in a move to Hillsborough back in March 2004.

Another Chris, Adamson, was the hero early on when he saved a penalty from Yakabu after Bougherra had fouled in the box. The Nigerian's penalty was weak and presented Adamson with a routine saved. Adamson could do nothing to prevent the first goal in the 36th minute however when Bougherra once again made a mistake in giving possession away to Malcom Christie who took his chance.

The Owls were awarded a penalty of their own shortly after the break when MacLean, who had only been on a matter of minutes, won a foul in the box. Brunt converted comfortably sending Turnbull the wrong way. His awesome 30 yard free kick was inches away from giving Sturrock's side the lead, with the ball crashing off the underside of the crossbar.

Boro took the lead on the hour mark when Yakabu made up for his earlier miss when he seized on a poor Graham Coughlan back pass. Brunt went close again to bringing the Owls level when his free-kick smashed back off the post, and Lee Bullen and Glenn Whelan also came close.

The score remained 2-1 to Boro but Sturrock was left pleased with the performance of his injured and morale depleted squad after the midweek Mansfield debacle.

Sturrock verdict: "I was a bit disappointed with the goals we lost. Bougherra came dribbling out instead of a pass. Cocko's loose header back to the goalkeeper has cost us dear." "We looked a bit better as far as 'legs' are concerned, and we looked a bit more up for it. In the second half we created several chances."