Final Score: Middlesbrough 2 Fulham 0

WHEN Aitor Karanka transformed the Middlesbrough squad during the summer, he would not have imagined relying so heavily on the AA to come to his rescue in the Championship promotion race.

Adam and Albert effectively became the fourth emergency service at the Riverside Stadium, delivering when it mattered most to ensure Boro climbed back in to the play-off zone and within touch of the top two.

The prominent roles Adam Reach and Albert Adomah have at this stage of the season is testament to how hard they have worked to stay at the forefront of the manager’s mind. It also highlights how Karanka is willing to give everyone in the squad a chance if he feels they are worth it.

Despite the arrivals of so many new players under the Spaniard’s watch, the arrivals of the new boys are bringing the best out of some of those he inherited such as Reach and Adomah.

The former, an academy graduate who has threatened so often to play regularly, and the latter, a Tony Mowbray buy, are two of the most used players this season. So much so that Karanka revealed he was looking forward to giving them a fortnight’s rest after watching the pair score a goal each to defeat Fulham before the international break.

“Myself and Albert have played a lot of games, we both scored here and that’s good for the wide players, but there are other wide players who could come in too,” said Reach. “I didn’t imagine I would be such a big part so early in the season, but I just knuckled down and he gave me an opportunity. He has shown faith in me since the start of the season and hopefully I am repaying him.”

Inside the first ten minutes against Fulham, Reach made a darting run beyond full-back Tim Hoogland before whipping over a cross which almost created an early opener for Kike.

While Boro struggled to make inroads in the first half, with the exception of an Adomah effort that hit the post following a cross from Ryan Fredericks, Reach was always busy and full of intent to beat his man.

And he got his reward 34 seconds after the restart when he coasted in from the flank to arrive in the penalty area to turn in a Lee Tomlin overhead kick which dropped his way.

Adomah had sent over the cross in the build up to that and the Ghana international, after Boro withstood some heavy pressure from a Fulham side rejuvenated under Kit Symons, then added the crucial second eight minutes before the end.

The former Bristol City man, who often frustrated his boss last season with a lack of workrate defensively, worked his way into the centre of the box to convert Kike’s centre and the points were secured.

“I feel we do bring balance to the side, by playing either side like we do,” said Reach. “Some managers like wingers to play on the opposite sides, cutting in rather than getting down the line, and we have real width with me and Albert. With players like Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton, who can pick a pass, we are piercing through teams at times and that’s great for us.”

Reach has threatened to break on to the first team stage since his debut in May 2011. The 21-year-old, who had loan stints at Bradford and Shrewsbury last season, is now very much at home on the left under Karanka – and has developed a maturity to suggest his performances will keep getting better.

“You have to take the opportunity when it comes,” he said. “When you are a young player, sometimes, with some managers, the youngsters are the first to be taken out of the team, whether they have done badly or for inconsistency.

“That’s natural because you are learning the game, so you will have inconsistency. Under this manager, everyone is equal. It doesn’t matter if you have been in the academy all of your life or if the manager has spent £3m on you.

“When I made my debut I had only just turned 18. When you are thrown in, some expect you to be able to just play like Wayne Rooney did when he was 16. They are one-offs. It is hard to cement your place, especially when new manager comes in.

“I just want to keep maturing and progressing. I have always been confident when I go out there. I think the team’s confidence oozes out in everyone in the team too; as long as we keep going.”

After stretching the unbeaten run to six matches – between international breaks – Boro are well placed to make a serious advance on the Championship’s top spot through October. After a decent rest, the AA could be the perfect team to get them there.