The verdict as Middlesbrough rescue a point at Swansea but move winless in five
19:34, 06 Apr 2026
Tommy Conway of Middlesbrough scores from the penalty spot
Tommy Conway of Middlesbrough scores from the penalty spot(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
In a dramatic game of three penalty kicks, the two against Middlesbrough proved costly as they dropped another two points in the race for promotion to the Premier League.
Tommy Conway’s late penalty at least ensured Boro took a point in South Wales, but it’s now five without a win for Boro at such a critical stage of the season, with individual errors costly.
Alex Bangura gave away the first Swansea penalty shortly after putting Boro ahead. Then Sol Brynn conceded the second, with Championship top scorer Zan Vipotnik putting both his away in what ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
Kim Hellberg made two changes after the defeat to Millwall. Reverting to a back four, Dael Fry dropped out to manage his minutes, with Jeremy Sarmiento added to the attack. Bangura replaced Matt Targett, who was forced off injured late in the defeat three days prior.
Bangura couldn’t have wished for a better start. Boro were immediately on the front foot and causing the home side problems. If there were to have been any complaints with their opening 18 minutes, it was that once again they passed up good opportunities to shoot.
But dominating, they made it count on 18 minutes when Bangura linked well with Tommy Conway. Playing the one-two, the left-back burst into the box before smashing the ball home via the roof of the net.
It was at that moment that everything seemed to go wrong for Boro, and Bangura in particular. Just two minutes after celebrating his goal, he was sat in his own box, head in hands, with few complaints after his rash, unneeded challenge resulted in a penalty. Vipotnik stepped up to convert.
The game overall became scrappy from there. With many stoppages for niggly fouls, the game lost its flow, and Boro lost their rhythm. They started to get sloppy in possession and suddenly their early threat was evaporating.
That’s when Bangura’s afternoon ended prematurely. Sitting down off the ball, he looked inconsolable as his injury-hell at Boro continued and he was forced off. It was an eventful 30 minutes.
From there, the final 15 minutes of the half played out to an almost non event. Both sides had half chances, but little worthy of note. That was until the third minute of five added on.
Yet again, another rash moment in their penalty area after one long ball completely beat their defence. Jisung Eom was in behind but headed away from goal when Sol Brynn dove at his feet. Contact was minimal but enough to make him go down.
Just like Bangura’s, it was a sloppy moment’s rush of blood and, ultimately, an individual error. Boro could have few complaints going in 2-1 down as Vipotnik slotted home his second spot kick.
Boro came out in the second half with more intent, but were struggling for their usual crispness in possession. Perhaps trying to work it up a little quicker than usual, they ultimately struggled to make it stick.
They looked to be fading as it approached the hour-mark before Aidan Morris went close with a chance that served as a reminder how quickly it can change. Teed up by Conway, just inside the area, he curled one well around the defensive bodies and had placed it inside the post. But Lawrence Vigouroux did brilliantly to get across and push it wide with his fingertips.
With 25 minutes remaining, Hellberg needed something a bit different. Looking to spark some life into his side, he made a triple substitution. As well as Fry, the lesser-seen Sontje Hansen and Kaly Sene were on to try and resurrect their ailing Boro careers on Easter Monday.
Boro were starting to look increasingly desperate with their attacks. They lacked conviction or quality as they went in search of an equaliser. What they didn’t ever do was give up, however.
And they got their rewards with 15 minutes remaining. Callum Brittain was clever to break into the box between two defenders, wiggling the wrong side of Eom before drawing the foul. Matthew Donohue did not hesitate to award the match’s third penalty. Conway stepped up, kept his composure and fired straight down the middle.
With momentum in their favour, Boro went looking for the winner. Hansen was bright and went so close with a volley from the edge. Gilbert came on to be denied by Vigouroux too, before Sene came within a whisker of turning home a cross in stoppage time.
In the end, however, Boro had to settle for the draw, and had Brynn to thank for a late save of his own as Swansea almost landed a killer blow against the run of play.
Not the win Boro came to South Wales needing, Ipswich’s win and Millwall’s defeat leaves the three sides battling for that second spot all locked on 72 points. Five games remain for Millwall and Boro. Ipswich have the advantage with two games in hand, and the superior goal difference.
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