Late Drama as Middlesbrough Snatches Draw Against Leicester City

Luke Ayling's dramatic stoppage-time header earned Middlesbrough a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday evening. The visitors held on despite being reduced to 10 players late in the game, much to the delight of their traveling fans.

The match began with Middlesbrough dominating possession, but it was Leicester who had the first real chance. Abdul Fatawu's header went wide, and Caleb Okoli missed a golden opportunity to put City ahead after stealing in behind the Boro defense.

Middlesbrough responded with a shot from Matt Targett that Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk struggled to save. The home side had another chance through Julian Carranza, but his effort from a Luke Thomas free-kick went off target.

Controversy struck in first-half stoppage time when referee Adam Herczeg awarded Leicester a penalty. Hayden Hackney was judged to have handled the ball, although Boro protested that the incident occurred outside the box. Jordan Ayew converted the penalty to give City the lead.

Stolarczyk did not return for the second half, with Asmir Begovic coming on for his first Leicester appearance of the season. Middlesbrough pressed for an equalizer, with Morgan Whittaker and Hackney both going close.

The visitors believed they should have had a penalty when Okoli fouled Tommy Conway, but the referee waved away their appeals. Conway himself missed a great chance to equalize in the 87th minute when Begovic made a crucial block.

In the 89th minute, Middlesbrough's Alfie Jones was sent off for a cynical foul, but Ayling's late header ensured the away side left with a point. The defender rose highest to head home a cross from Callum Brittain, sparking jubilant celebrations in the away end.

Leicester's Marti Cifuentes: "It's a very cruel way to finish the game. We need to carry on and get points in this league."

Middlesbrough's Rob Edwards: "We showed character, spirit, and belief. It felt almost like a win, even though it wasn't, but I feel it should have been."