Heartbreak for Boro after missing three chances to go up

Heartbreak for Boro after missing three chances to go up Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Next season will be Middlesbrough's 10th successive campaign in the ChampionshipByAdam LaniganBBC Sport England at WembleyPublished11 minutes agoCommentsOn an afternoon more suited to a day at the beach or jetting off to sunnier climes, Middlesbrough achieved unwanted history as their promotion dream died in agonising fashion at Wembley. After goalkeeper Sol Brynn could only palm away a cross, Oli McBurnie was on hand to score an injury-time winner that sent Hull City to the Premier League, and Boro's third shot at promotion evaporated.Most teams only get two chances in one season to do it - either automatically or via the play-offs. Boro had an unexpected three and could not take any.It was not until the final day of the regular season that their hopes of a top-two finish were completely ended, before they were beaten over two legs by Southampton in the play-off semi-final amid the swirl of passion and ill-feeling over Spygate.Saints' expulsion gave Boro a third and final chance to reach the Premier League, but again they could not take it. So while the fallout of Spygate and the past fortnight will linger and rumble on, the real summer hurt will come, not from finding someone watching their training, but from not being able to capitalise on a glorious opportunity to end a nine-year exile from the top flight. The month Boro might struggle to forget2 May: Middlesbrough begin the day with an outside shot at automatic promotion. But they only draw at Wrexham and drop down a place to fifth, losing the chance to be at home in the second leg of the play-offs. The draw also allows Hull to leapfrog the Welsh club and claim the final spot in the play-offs.7 May: Southampton intern Will Salt is found at Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground attempting to record a training session, contravening English Football League regulations.9 May: Boro host Saints in the...