Middlesbrough vs. Brentford Live Blog: Instant Analysis and Reaction

A Fernando Amorebieta goal three minutes into injury time gave Middlesbrough a 2-1 victory over Brentford in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Griffin Park.

Middlesbrough will head to next Friday's second leg needing only a draw at home to advance to the final.

Amorebieta, a 73rd-minute substitute, proved an unexpected hero as he lashed home a left-footed volley from a corner. The ball found it's way through several players and past the outstretched hands of keeper David Button.

Up until that moment, it appeared as though Boro were content with the draw, rarely getting enough players forward to sustain an attack. Brentford made every attempt to grab the winner, but they were unable to come up with the decisive strike.

Jelle Vossen gave Middlesbrough the lead in the first half via an unmarked header in Brentford's box.

The home side drew level in the 54th minute as keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos raced off his line to clear a ball outside of the area. Brentford striker Andre Gray closed him down, controlled the deflection and fired home into the empty net.

Despite 32 combined fouls and nine yellow cards, the match was wrought with tension from start to finish. Both sides attacked with fervor, creating scoring chance after scoring chance.

Brentford will be bitterly disappointed with the loss. They have yet to beat Middlesbrough in three matches this season, and they'll head to Riverside Park needing to do just that to keep their promotion dream alive.