Norwich City came out on the wrong side of a frantic seven goal contest against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite a spirited second half comeback to level the game at 3-3, with substitutes Jovon Makama and Jacob Wright both on the scoresheet, a goal at the death from Ashley Phillips meant the hosts took all three points on the day.
Striker Mohamed Touré had opened the scoring inside 60 seconds, before the hosts responded. A Sebastian Berhalter brace and Amario Cozier-Duberry's strike had Middlesbrough in front at the half time.
But despite the second half comeback and a spirited showing, City's hard work was undone in second half stoppage time, much to the disappointment of the 900 travelling supporters on Teesside.
Philippe Clement made four changes to the starting side that had emerged victorious against Birmingham City three days earlier.
There were places back in the starting line-up for Anis Ben Slimane and Touré, who were rested in the week, whilst Kellen Fisher and Anthony Musaba were also in from the off.
The game started in a frantic fashion and with just seven minutes on the clock a raucous Riverside Stadium had seen three goals.
First, Touré pounced on a miss-placed pass in the Middlesbrough backline, racing into the right channel before finishing emphatically into the far corner via the post.
But Middlesbrough responded and were level just seconds later.
City conceded possession deep inside their own half, with Sebastian Berhalter firing in off the underside of the bar.
On seven minutes the hosts completed the turnaround, when Amario Cozier-Duberry collected Riley McGree’s pass on the edge of the area, before firing low into Vladan Kovačević’s bottom corner.
The game was open and end to end, but with the home crowd buoyant City did well to steady themselves over the coming period.
Andre Brooks then jinked infield from the right wing to work Radek Vítek before Touré saw a penalty appeal waved away after tumbling in the area following another breakaway.
Both sides were threatening in the wide areas, with the lively Cozier-Duberry a constant nuisance for City’s defenders, whilst up the other end Musaba and Brooks continued to provide a valuable attacking outlet for City.
On the half hour mark, Musaba was sent scampering down the left by Kenny McLean’s pass, before his cross was met by Slimane, whose shot deflected wide.
But with half time approaching Middlesbrough extended their lead.
Berhalter doubled his tally for the afternoon, nudging a loose ball in from six yards out following Callum Brittain’s deflected shot from the edge of the area, amid appeals for offside from those in yellow.
In an attempt to wrestle back some control, Clement introduced Wright in place of Slimane at the interval.
Prior to the 60 minute mark neither side threatened to add to their respective tallies, though Neto Borges did fire wide from the edge of the Norwich City penalty area, following a patient and prolonged period of possession for the hosts.
Further substitutions for both sides followed, with Makama and Jack Stacey introduced.
City did fashion chances, with the sense that if they could reduce the deficit a nervousness would creep into the home crowd.
Brooks sliced high and wide after collecting a ball on the edge of the area, before on 70 minutes City’s substitutes combined to devastating effect.
Wright assumed possession midway in Middlesbrough territory, before threading an inch perfect pass through to Makama.
He steadied himself before coolly finishing beyond an onrushing goalkeeper.
City were in the ascendency and on 75 minutes were deservedly level.
Another substitute, Paris Maghoma, combined with Musaba and Wright, who eventually fired a loose ball high into the net following an initial smart save from Vítek.
The final ten minutes were open and end to end, but, arguably against the run of play, Phillips bundled home from a late set piece to steal the points for the hosts.
Norwich City are next in action on Thursday night, travelling to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup.
Middlesbrough: Vitek; Brittain (C), Jones (Phillips h-t), Berhalter; Lankshear (Ayling (90+2), Malanda, Morris, Borges; McGree (Peart-Harris 63), Cozier-Duberry (Arfsten 73); Conway (Joseph 63).
Subs not used: Brynn, Strelec, Sarmiento, Pukstas.
Goals: Berhalter (4, 36), Cozier-Duberry (7), Phillips (90+1)
Bookings: McGree (53), Phillips (89)
Norwich City: Kovačević; Fisher (Stacey 63), McConville, Córdoba, Chrisene; Mattsson, McLean (C), Brooks (Maghoma 74), Slimane (Wright h-t), Musaba (Schwartau 90), Touré (Makama 63).
Subs not used: Grimshaw, Darling, Field, Crnac.
Goals: Touré (1), Makama (70), Wright (75)
Bookings: Stacey (90)
Half time: 3-1
Full time: 4-3
Venue: The Riverside Stadium
Referee: Adam Herczeg