Middlesbrough defender Tony McMahon has revealed their second-half fight back against Millwall on Saturday was a response to manager Tony Mowbray.Mowbray's side bounced back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to condemn the Lions to a first home league defeat since November with a 3-2 victory.
"At half-time the gaffer said a few words," McMahon told BBC Tees.
"He half questioned us, said 'Can you stand up to the battle?' and in the second half we answered his question."
McMahon added: "We stood up to the battle and got a massive three points.
"You can see at the end the three centre-halves, [Andrew] Davies was brilliant, getting above everyone and heading it away.
I told Andrew Taylor - 'I'm going to smash it', and smashed it in. I'll never score a goal like that again
Tony McMahon
"We stuck together, and Jason [Steele - goalkeeper] as well, the save he made was top drawer, and he's kept us in it.
"As a team we were together and definitely in the second-half."
Bishop Auckland-born McMahon capped the success with a stunning second-half free-kick to pull the Teessiders back into the game after Neil Harris had opened the scoring for Millwall in the first-half.
"I'll talk about the goal all day, I'm absolutely buzzing," McMahon continued.
"I just fancied it. I said to Andrew Taylor 'I'm going to smash it', and he gave me a look of disgust and told me to cross it.
"I thought no. Why not, and smashed it in. I'll never score a goal like that again."
McMahon came through the Middlesbrough academy set up and has since made 95 appearances, scoring twice, and has also had loan spells at Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport