A passionate crowd of
16,200 at the Riverside feel silent just before the break, as Chung-Young Lee
marked his return to the Bolton starting line-up following injury, by netting
his first of the season.
Scott McDonald proved
to be the Boro match winner scoring twice in the final half hour to extend
Mowbray’s side’s unbeaten run to five matches.
The Middlesbrough
boss was delighted with the striker’s impact after coming off the bench to
replace the injured Marvin Emnes.
Mowbray told the
club’s website: “Marvin had to come off with a hamstring problem and Scott came
on and did what he does best, getting into the right place at the right time
and putting the ball into the back of the net.
“Like any other
player, Scott wouldn’t have been too happy sitting on the bench, but when his
opportunity came he came on and took it.”
The former West
Bromwich Albion manager also commented on the impact of the Riverside crowd and
how the supporters were a fundamental part of the second half comeback.
Mowbray added: “The
supporters were our 12th man, it was one of the few times I’ve sat
on the bench and thought, ‘wow!’. They really lifted the team.
“I would never demand
for people to come to football, knowing how expensive it is, but I think there
are a lot of people at home who would like to come to our games.
“There was a great
atmosphere in the Riverside and together we managed to get the win.”
It was the third time
in the five match unbeaten run that Boro had conceded the first goal, but
Mowbray feels the victory holds greater significance having trailed at half
time.
He continued: “It
feels extra sweet when you win a game coming from behind, we lost a bit of
discipline after conceding that goal.
“I thought we played
really well and it was strange coming in at half time 1-0 down because we had
created more chances.”
The victory over the
Trotters, who had newly appointed manager Dougie Freedman watching from the
stands, leaves Middlesbrough third in the table, ahead of a Capital One Cup
clash with neighbours Sunderland.
Mowbray believes the
confidence gained from four consecutive league wins will give his side an
excellent chance against their Premier League opponents.
He concluded:
“Sunderland had a great result away at Stoke, which is never easy, and they’ll
fancy themselves, at home against a team from the league beneath them.
“But it’s a local
derby and we’ll try to make life difficult for them.”