Burnley 0 Middlesbrough 1

Despite dominating the game, the Clarets could not turn pressure in to goals as the gap between themselves and third-placed was cut to eight points with four left to play.

Sean Dyche made one change from the side that defeated Barnsley on Tuesday, with a place in line-up for Kieran Trippier after four weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Trippier, who had been an unused substitute at Oakwell, replaced Chris Baird in the Clarets starting 11.

Opponents Middlesbrough were forced in to making five changes for the game at Turf Moor.

Daniel Ayala and Jonathan Woodgate came in for the suspended Ben Gibson and Kenneth Omeruo, with Emanuel Ledesma replacing the injured George Friend in a new look back line for the away side.

Other tactical changes for Boro included Dean Whitehead and Lee Tomlin for Josef Varga and Luke Williams in an unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation.

The game started evenly with no clear cut chances for either side in the opening exchanges.

The first opportunity of the game arrived on 18 minutes,  when a delightful ball from Trippier just inside the Boro half found Danny Ings unmarked at the back post. The striker hit the ball on the volley, but mistimed his effort and shot over.

Shortly after the visitors had their first sight of goal, when a Lee Tomlin strike was deflected just wide.

The woodwork kept Burnley from taking the lead on 20 minutes, when a Ben Mee found the head of Michael Kightly at the far post.

The winger sent a looping header back across goal which crashed off the bar before Ashley Barnes put the rebound over.

The home side kept pressing. A give and go with Ings sent Dean Marney racing through on 26’.

The midfielder got to the edge of the six yard box before teeing the ball across for Ings. Nathaniel Chalobah did enough to put the striker off however, and intercepted for a corner.

Boro soon after hit the Clarets on the counter, and went close to taking a shock lead when an Albert Adomah cross was put over by Danny Graham at the near post.

Ings and Arfield both fashioned half chances, but Burnley had to weather some late pressure to ensure they went in to the break level.

A Danny Graham shot from the edge of the box was firstly saved by Heaton for corner. The Clarets was in action again soon after, superbly tipping a Jacob Butterfield effort over.

Emanuel Ledesma who scored the only goal in the reverse fixture, delivered a similar attempt two minutes short of the half, though this time the ball went inches wide.

Half-Time Burnley 0-0 Middlesbrough

To read the full match report please click on the link below;

Burnley v Middlesbrough