On loan midfielder says club is ‘delighted’ with win, but they have to beware a wounded animal if they want to build on today’s success with a result against Portsmouth on Tuesday

David McAllister says Boro have their tails up ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Portsmouth following today’s win over Accrington Stanley.

The midfielder made his Boro debut after joining the club midweek on loan from Shrewsbury Town, with manager Graham Westley saying the 25-year-old was his man of the match against John Coleman’s Accrington.

Portsmouth lost 3-0 on the road at Bury today, and while McAllister is pleased with his side’s result against Stanley he says that Boro must beware of a wounded animal when they travel to Fratton Park on Tuesday.

Speaking about making his debut today, McAllister said: “It’s been quite a while now, seven months since I’ve had a competitive game. I’ve had reserve team games, but nothing beats getting back out there playing.

“It was a battle in midfield, they’ve got a few good players in there, but we got on top of them early doors and we got the early goal.

“I don’t even think I had even touched the ball apart from kick-off and we scored. Charlie [Lee] then had a great finish for the second...we’re delighted to hold out. The two centre-halves were brilliant and they won quite a lot, the keeper as well.

“[Tuesday] is the type of game you want to be involved in: Fratton Park on a Tuesday night in front of a lot of fans. After a win like that [against Accrington] the lads are really looking forward to it.

“Obviously our boys reacted from last week’s [defeat] at Carlisle, so we have to be aware that Portsmouth might have a sting in their tail. We’ve got to go there and do a job.”