Boro’s nine-match unbeaten run ended at play-off rivals Buxton
Boro’s nine-match unbeaten run ended with a 2-0 defeat at fellow play-off hopefuls Buxton on a cold afternoon in Derbyshire, but results elsewhere meant Jono Greening’s side were still fifth in the National League North table with just two games to play.
Aidon Shehu returned to the squad after Hull City allowed him to rejoin on loan until the end of the season, and Harry Green was back from a hip injury, but Lewis Maloney, who was due to start, pulled out with a hamstring strain in the warm-up.
Hosts Buxton included ex-Boro player Kieran Burton.
With a strong wind at their backs, Buxton were on top for much of the first half. Max Bardell lashed a shot wide, Boro keeper Ryan Whitley dived to tip away a Cian Coleman strike, then Whitley pulled off a fantastic one-handed reflex save, beating away a fierce close-range shot from Luke Brennan.
Jake Hull blocked a shot from Coleman, Will Thornton headed clear when Brennan flicked-on to Coleman in the box, and George Ward headed wide from a Brennan corner.
Boro defended well, before creating a couple of chances of their own.
Alex Purver won possession in the middle and laid off to Richie Bennett, who sprayed a terrific pass out to Alex Brown wide left. He raced down the flank, and squared inside to Jack Waldron, who fired towards the top right corner, but keeper Joe Young made a spectacular diving save to push the ball wide, then a Purver corner was headed just over by Kieran Weledji.
Buxton were soon back on top, Connor Douglas headed a Brennan cross against the top of the bar, but then Burton went down after colliding with Brown in the area, and the ref harshly awarded a penalty, with Brennan sending Whitley the wrong way from the spot. Johnny Johnston fired just wide shortly before the interval.
Boro began the second half brightly, Thornton headed over from a Purver corner, then a long ball forward from the energetic Purver found Waldron, who cut inside and sent a fierce low shot that forced a superb save from keeper Young.
A Brown throw-in was headed on by Hull towards Bennett, but Ward hacked clear, then Luca Colville drilled a shot narrowly wide.
Boro were incensed when Purver went down under a clumsy challenge in the area, but was booked for simulation.
An intricate passing move involving Michael Duckworth, the excellent Waldron and Ste Walker ended with Colville jinking past a defender and firing inches wide.
Connor Kirby fired into the chest of Whitley, before Buxton doubled their lead with a fabulous Johnston shot that was lofted into the top right corner from just outside the area.
Green, Shehu, Kenny Mensah and Rio Allan were all brought on from the bench as Boro searched for a way back, with Mensah showing some clever touches.
He laid-off to Walker, who shot into the keeper’s arms, then Mensah teed up Allan, who volleyed just over.
Buxton had a few late chances, Hull blocked a Kirby shot, Whitley pushed a 25-yarder from Kirby wide, Will Trueman blazed over and Thornton tackled Connor Douglas when he charged forward.
In stoppage time Walker passed to Allan in the Buxton box, but he was closed down by Ward before he could get in a shot.
BUXTON - Young, Trueman, Flint, Ward, Burton, Johnston (Uchegbulam 81) (Francis 89), Kirby (c), Coleman (Mee 84), Brennan (Robinson 86), Bardell, Douglas, unused subs - Melville, Hill, Davidson.
BORO - Whitley, Weledji, Duckworth (Mensah 59), Hull, Thornton (c), Purver (Shehu 76), Walker, Waldron, Bennett (Allan 59), Brown, Colville (Green 76), unused sub - Wiles.
REFEREE - Joe Moss.
BUXTON GOALS - Luke Brennan 31 (pen), Johnny Johnston 65.
GOAL ATTEMPTS - BUXTON 14 (7 on target) BORO 7 (3 on target).
CORNERS - BUXTON 8 BORO 4.
OFFSIDES - BUXTON 0 BORO 1.
YELLOW CARDS - Kieran Burton, Will Flint (Buxton), Will Thornton, Luca Colville, Alex Purver, Richie Bennett, Jack Waldron (Boro).
BORO MAN OF MATCH - Jack Waldron.
ATTENDANCE - 917 (176 away).