Hibs 2-3 Middlesbrough

Aug 3 2008 Gavin Berry At Easter Road

HIBS finally learned how to score again but forgot how to defend as they blew a two-goal lead to continue their shocking pre-season run. Mixu Paatelainen's men looked set to record their first win of the summer after Steven Fletcher's double put them ahead against the Premiership outfit.

But Hibees' backline shot themselves in the foot with some woeful play as Boro fired three goals in a whirlwind seven-minute spell after the break.

Brazilian striker Afonso Alves bagged a double and defender David Wheater notched the other with Mixu's men now boasting just one win in their previous 14 games dating back to the end of last season.

The under-fire manager now only has a midweek game against Wigan at Easter Road to get things right before the SPL action kicks off against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Paatelainen said: "I was disappointed at losing the lead. It was a game we should have won.

"We played well for 70 minutes then had a lapse in concentration at three crosses. We must do better.

"The boys' heads went down but we have to remember we faced a really good side with top individual players.

"I was pleased with our application.

I know the headlines will be about the number of games we've lost but I'm not interested in that.

"All I care about is winning the Kilmarnockgameand the one after that."

Celtic out cast Derek Riordan has been linked with a move to Hearts but was an interested spectator at Easter Road as he watched see his old club in action.

With the Hoops currently in Rotterdam it shows just how far Riordan has fallen out of favour.

Hibs could certainly do with him on the pitch but Mixu played down his presence and said: "Deek is a Hibs fan.

Everyone knows it and that's why he was here."

But it was Riordan's successor as Hibees' brightest hope who had the supporters on their feet after only eight minutes with the opening goal.

It was well worked with Alan O'Brien's pass finding Colin Nish on the right.

Fletcher nipped in between between Robert Huth and Luke Young to head home his strike partner's perfect cross.

Incredibly thatwas Hibs' first goal since Dean Shiels scored in a 2-1 defeat at Aberdeen on April 26.

Boro went close to a leveller on a few occasions before they were dealt a blow when Julio Arca was carried off.

He took a hefty challenge from Leith new-boy Joe Keenan.

Hibs should have doubled their lead on the half hour but Nish somehow sent his point-blank header over after keeper Ross Turnbull had touched Ian Murray's effort into his path. Injured Arca's replacement - new signing Didier Digard - almost set up an equaliser when he found Young inside the box but the full-back's effort cracked the bar.

Hibs continued to have a go after the restart and on the hour surged 2-0 ahead - with Fletcher again on the scoresheet. Boro's defence gave the hitkid far too much space as he collected a pass and he fired in a low 25- yard shot that deceived Turnbull and flew past him.

Hibs should have been home and dry but their implosion left Paatelainen tearing his hair out on in the dugout. Sub Alves pulled one back with his first touch when McNeil failed to deal with a Gary O'Neil cross.

Then fellow sub and Rangers loan targetAdamJohnson - who was being watched by Ibrox scout Ewan Chester - set up the second with a corner that broke for Wheater to head home.

And Alves completed the stunning comeback when the Hibs rearguard again failed to clear a ball into the area.

The Brazilian stooped to head home at the back post which made sure the Edinburgh side's miserable run continues.

team sheet

HIBS: McNeil, Van Zanten, Murray, Hogg, Jones, Thicot, Keenan, Shiels, Fletcher, Nish, O'Brien. Subs: Grof, Chisholm, Canning, Stevenson, Morais, Campbell, Trialist.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Turnbull, Young, Grounds, Huth, Wheater, Aliadiere, Arca, O'Neil, Mido, Tuncay, Downing. Subs: Steele, Alves, Johnson, Williams, Walker, Bennett, Digard.