Heartbreak for Boro after missing three chances to go up

Middlesbrough’s promotion hopes ended in painful fashion at Wembley and then again in the play-offs. After goalkeeper Sol Brynn could only deflect a cross, Oli McBurnie scored an injury-time winner that sent Hull City to the Premier League, ending Boro’s third attempt. The club had an unusual three chances in one season, including automatic promotion and play-offs, but could not take any. Their top-two hopes were ended on the final day of the regular season, and they were beaten over two legs by Southampton in the play-off semi-final. Saints’ expulsion briefly gave Boro a final chance, but they again failed to capitalise, leaving the club still exiled from the top flight.

"After goalkeeper Sol Brynn could only palm away a cross, Oli McBurnie was on hand to score an injury-time winner that sent Hull City to the Premier League, and Boro's third shot at promotion evaporated. Most teams only get two chances in one season to do it - either automatically or via the play-offs. Boro had an unexpected three and could not take any."

"It was not until the final day of the regular season that their hopes of a top-two finish were completely ended, before they were beaten over two legs by Southampton in the play-off semi-final amid the swirl of passion and ill-feeling over Spygate. Saints' expulsion gave Boro a third and final chance to reach the Premier League, but again they could not take it."

"So while the fallout of Spygate and the past fortnight will linger and rumble on, the real summer hurt will come, not from finding someone watching their training, but from not being able to capitalise on a glorious opportunity to end a nine-year exile from the top flight."

"7 May: Southampton intern Will Salt is found at Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground attempting to record a training session, contravening English Football League regulations. 9 May: Boro host Saints in the first leg of the play-off semi-final at a fired-up Riverside Stadium. Despite bombarding the visitors' goal, especially in the first half, they fail to score and the game ends goalless."

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