Boro Under-21s boss Paul Jenkins heaped praise on defensive pair Jonny Burn and Dael Fry after a 1-0 win at Blackburn sent his side joint top of the league.
Ryan Brobbel’s second half header was enough to earn Boro’s young guns a third straight win and settle an even contest at Leigh Sports Village.
Jenkins handed 17-year-old Fry a first league start for the Under-21s, and the centre-back stood up to a Rovers barrage alongside captain Burn in the second half.
Fry signed his first professional deal with Boro in October, and after a string of impressive displays for the Under-18s, was moved to the level above to fill the void left by David Atkinson, currently on trial at Walsall.
After the match the pair received praise from their manager, who admitted his side’s gritty win was good education for the youngsters.
“I thought we had more chances than them in the first half and Connor Ripley didn’t have anything to do. We had all the running but they could have been dangerous on the counter attack,” Jenkins said.
“We didn’t really get into our rhythm, there were little pockets of play but we weren’t consistent. The second half was certainly scrappy - sometimes games go that way.
@DaelFry1 
“You want to play well and for it to be pretty and look easy on the eye, but these lads need to know what league football is all about. They will be exposed to that kind of game.
“It was a scrappy game but ultimately we’ve won and we have to get that balance between playing the right way but also learning how to win football matches.
“I spoke to the lads at half-time and said to them that the final third was letting us down. Over the last two games it clearly hasn’t having scored 13 goals, but (against Blackburn) it was a little bit different. I said at half-time we needed to make better choices.
“I said something special might win us the match, and it did eight minutes into the second half. It was a terrific ball in and what a fantastic header from Ryan Brobbel, to rise like he did and put it in the far corner.
“As the game wore on they had to become a little more direct and they did, and I must compliment Dael Fry and Jonny Burn, because for the last 15 minutes they held us together. They were exposed to a lot of long balls and a lot of aerial duels, and they were immaculate in that last 10 minutes.
“Considering it was Dael’s first game there tonight, it’s a big compliment to him and Jonny at the back.”
The win moves Boro level with new leaders West Brom, having played one game less.
Peter Beardsley’s Newcastle had looked like they were to claim top spot, but conceded a late goal at Wolves to draw 2-2.
Next up for Boro is a match against Wolves at Victoria Park next Monday - and one man who is likely to feature again is winger Tom McAloon, who made his first league start since October last night after recovering from ankle ligament damage.
“It’s been a long road back for Tom,” Jenkins added.
“He’s had a couple of run-outs recently and he’s a big threat. When he gets going, when he opens up and faces defenders, he’s very difficult to stand up and to mark.
“He’s got good athleticism and has an impact. We put him down the middle in the second half to change things around and he showed a bit of strength for us. I’m delighted he’s back on a football pitch.”
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