Middlesbrough 2-1 Swansea City: Late Piroe penalty not enough as Cabango sees red at Boro

A late surge was not enough for Swansea City who slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

The hosts took full advantage of any Swansea sloppiness and went ahead through Riley McGree's strike early on. Matt Crooks added a second for Boro in the first-half as the visitors looked shell-shocked given the way proceedings had unfolded.

Swansea pushed late on and saw Joel Piroe score his first goal of the campaign from the penalty spot in the 79th minute. But they were unable to nick a late equaliser and had Ben Cabango sent off as they dropped into the Championship's relegation zone following a third game without victory.

Russell Martin made two changes to the side that started against Luton Town as Cameron Congreve and Kyle Naughton replaced Matty Sorinola and Harry Darling who both dropped to the bench.

The Swans dominated possession from the outset and slowly grew in confidence in the final third, with Michael Obafemi dragging a shot from outside the box.

But, as has so often been the case of late, Swansea were the creators of their own downfall and fell behind having bossed proceedings from kick-off.

On his first league start of the season, Congreve's pass was intercepted by Crooks, and he threaded through to McGree who coolly slotted beyond Andy Fisher to score with his side's first effort on goal after 14 minutes.

It represented yet another sucker punch for Martin's men, and Chris Wilder's side grew in confidence having been gifted the opener.

And they were two goals to the good on the half hour mark as the impressive Ryan Giles squared to Crooks who poked home from close range.

It prompted Martin into hooking Congreve, with Sorinola being pushed out to right wing-back as Swansea switched to a