[ad_pod ]Middlesbrough took a step closer to dropping out of the play-off places on Wednesday night, when they slumped to a 2-1 defeat against the in-form Preston North End at the Riverside Stadium.Boro started the game well, and took a slender lead into half-time, with Ashley Fletcher having opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, notching his third goal in his last five Championship outings.However, centre-back Daniel Ayala’s 61st minute sending off turned the tide of the encounter in North End’s favour. Boro boss Tony Pulis failed to respond to the dismissal effectively, and the home side couldn’t withstand the pressure that their opponents began to exert.

Paul Gallagher and Jayden Stockley scored the goals that secured an impressive comeback for Alex Neil’s side. 

The decision to show the 28-year-old Spanish defender a red card certainly changed the game, and it was also a controversial call given some feel that Ayala made a fair challenge.

After the match, plenty of Boro fans took to Twitter to give their verdict on the sending off…