Five years ago this week bubbling Boro travelled to Blackpool and somehow lost 2-0.
A toothless team wasted a penalty and a lot of possession as they battled against 10 men without ever looking like scoring.
Penalty box plank Brett Ormerod had put Blackpool ahead in a comatose first half but Boro woke up after the break.
They piled forward and on 61 minutes Blackpool defender Rob Edwards received his marching orders after chopping down Scott McDonald.
With a man extra Boro attacked in numbers without penetration and their rare chances were tame.
They should have levelled on 83 minutes when Barry Robson was tripped in the box and a penalty was awarded but Scott McDonald fired his effort at a nice height and, having guessed right, Matt Gilks routinely pushed it away.
Then, as Boro piled forward, Blackpool broke out to seal it in stoppage time.
It was a game that had a marked impact on both clubs’ campaigns.
After six games unbeaten Gordon Strachan’s Boro - now with a dramatically raised tartan content - hit a wall.
The loss started a run of just one win in six as Boro started to slither slowly out of contention.
Ian Holloway’s side meanwhile leap-frogged Boro and launched an all out attack on the top six to squeeze into the mix and eventually win promotion via the play-offs.
Class of 2010 - where are they now?
It’s only five years ago but only unused substitute Luke Williams is still at the club. Jason Steele’s January exit completed the starting line-up. The bulk are long gone.
DANNY COYNE: After leaving Boro the former Welsh international keeper had a spell at Sheffield United before moving to Shrewsbury as first a player/coach and then joint assistant manager.
JUSTIN HOYTE: Went to Millwall but Ian Holloway bombed him out into the reserves and told him to find another club. He hasn’t yet.
DAVID WHEATER: Went to then top flight Bolton and endured a two-year injury nightmare but is back in the team now.
STEPHEN McMANUS: A mooted move to Bristol City fell through before Big Mick moved back to the SPL with Motherwell.
JONATHAN GROUNDS: After a loan tour of the lower leagues, the left-back joined Oldham before a summer move to Birmingham.
WILLO FLOOD: After being released the scrawny schemer joined first Dundee United then moved onto Aberdeen.
GARY O’NEIL: After an injury blighted two years at West Ham he was steady at QPR but has rarely featured at Norwich City.
BARRY ROBSON: Failed to settle in short spells at Vancouver Whitecaps and Sheffield United before moving to Aberdeen where he is still a fixture aged 36.
JONATHAN FRANKS: After stalling on the fringes at Boro he switched to Hartlepool where he has played over 100 games.
JEREMIE ALIADIERE: Had three successful seasons at French top flight club Lorient before a summer move to Qatari side Umm Salal.
SCOTT McDONALD: After Boro the Aussie hitman had an frustrating spell at Millwall, scoring just five in 56 games before having his deal terminated last month. Currently without a club.
SUBS:
JULIO ARCA: Now playing Wearside Sunday League football for fun.
LEE MILLER: A goalless spell at Boro followed by two good seasons at Carlisle, he then moved on to Kilmarnock.
Not used: Jason Steele (Blackburn), Kyle Naughton (Swansea), Joe Bennett (Brighton, on loan from Aston Villa), Luke Williams (on loan at Coventry), Leroy Lita (Barnsley).
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