Substitute Fernando Amorebieta scored a dramatic late winner to give Middlesbrough a 2-1 victory in their play-off semi-final first leg at Brentford. The Venezuelan defender lashed home in stoppage time to give Boro a precious advantage.

Andre Gray had earlier capitalised on a blunder by Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos to cancel out Jelle Vossen’s first-half header.

Boro chief Aitor Karanka saw his side take the lead after 25 minutes, when Vossen slipped unnoticed between two Brentford defenders to guide Adam Clayton’s cross into the corner of the net.

Bees keeper David Button then kept his side in the tie with two fine saves in a minute before half-time.

In the 54th minute Gray charged down Boro keeper’s Konstantopoulos clearance before spinning around and slotting the ball into an empty net.

But Amorebieta stunned Griffin Park in the third minute of injury time when George Friend headed down Grant Leadbitter’s corner and the full-back’s shot clipped Bidwell and flew into the net.