If Plan B doesn't work, revert back to Plan A.

That's what Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis did in the second half at Deepdale as Boro kicked off 2018 with a pulsating 3-2 comeback victory at Preston.

Direct football doesn't always have to be boring, and it was a second half change in tack which handed the Welshman his first win since taking charge at the Riverside.

Five goals, four headers and three points. If this 90-minute window was a glimpse of what's to come this year, then few Boro fans will be disappointed.

Boro looked largely toothless during a timid first-half and Preston's defenders seemed comfortable. But Pulis' decision to bring on Rudy Gestede in the second half sparked a sizzling turnaround.

Forget tactics, winning football is what every supporter in the land craves - and this year has got off to the perfect start for Boro, up against a Preston side who had lost just three of their previous 23 home Championship matches.

If you take into account Boro's wretched record on January 1 down the years too - failing to win any of their previous 14 league matches outside of the top-flight on New Year's Day - then this was a statement victory.

Here's how the game panned out:

The perfect start & a half-hour of pain

In the aftermath of Saturday's defeat to Aston Villa, Pulis vowed to make changes to his Boro XI at Deepdale in a bid to get to know the crop he has inherited, and the Welshman was true to his word as he made three alterations.

Out went towering pair Ryan Shotton and Rudy Gestede, along with Martin Braithwaite, and in came Cyrus Christie, forgotten man Adlene Guedioura and winger Adama Traore, the latter who caught Pulis' eye off the bench against Villa 48 hours earlier.

For Guedioura, who did not play a single second of first-team action under Garry Monk, it was a first Boro start since his move from Watford in February 2017 - with the Algerian midfielder's fortunes turning 180 degrees since his reunion with former boss Pulis.

It was at Crystal Palace back in 2013/14 when Guedioura first worked with Pulis, making one league start and five appearances in total, but his Boro inclusion for the first time since the 4-2 defeat at Hull in April raised eyebrows before kick-off.

What did not raise eyebrows was Boro's quick start. Pulis was unhappy with his new side's midfield intensity in the 1-0 reverse to Villa, and it was the visitors who seized the initiative almost immediately at Deepdale.

Middlesbrough's Daniel Ayala scores the opening goal
Middlesbrough's Daniel Ayala scores the opening goal

It's a ground that has not been kind to Pulis down the years, winless in his previous nine visits to Lancashire during a barren spell dating back to his days in charge of Gillingham two decades ago.

But with a new year brings new optimism, and it was the Boro boss who was clenching his fist inside 13 minutes as his new side took the lead.

It was a familiar scenario for Pulis too. During his illustrious managerial career so far he's overseen 321 Premier League matches with his teams scoring 319 goals - 157 of which came from set pieces.

So it was fitting that Boro's first goal under his tutorage came from a free-kick, Stewart Downing's devilish delivery met powerfully by Daniel Ayala whose header flashed past goalkeeper Chris Maxwell in a flash.

However, Pulis hardly had time to readjust his cap before Preston hit back immediately.

Less than a minute after giving themselves the advantage, Boro generously surrendered it as Tom Barkhuizen's cross from the right evaded Christie at the back post, and Callum Robinson made no mistake with a close-range header of his own.

From there, Boro were second-best in a first half that will have given Pulis plenty of cause for concern.

Aerially, Boro were dominated. Tactically, they were outplayed - and by the end of the opening period Preston were even doing flicks around the Teessiders.

Only a couple of superb saves from Darren Randolph spared Boro's blushes, the first as he got down to his left to push behind Boro-born Jordan Hugill's fierce effort, while on the half hour mark Robinson let fly from 25 yards which had the Irish No 1 scampering across his line.

In August's reverse fixture, a goalless draw between the two play-off hopefuls at the Riverside, it was Barkhuizen who was the danger man with a devastating performance on the left flank.

It was down the same side where Boro creaked at Deepdale, but this time it was Robinson who put Christie to the sword in a first-half display that will only strengthen Shotton's starting claim.

Middlesbrough players look dejected
Middlesbrough players look dejected

With 72% of the first-half possession, Preston will have felt they deserved the advantage at the break, and few inside the ground could argue with that.

That proved to be the case as neat interplay at the edge of Boro's box eventually saw the Lilywhites cross for Hugill - and the striker's header beat Randolph, with an unfortunate deflection off Ayala.

From then on, the half-time whistle couldn't come soon enough for a Boro side that was toiling. The sight of Ayala throwing his hands up in disgust said it all - but his fellow defenders did not heed the warning as Preston rattled the woodwork before referee David Coote intervened.

The influential Josh Harrop's teasing delivery was diverted back towards goal by captain Clarke - and Barkhuizen's bullet header from six yards should have given the scoreline a more dominant look at the halfway stage.

For Boro, the whistle was met with a chorus of boos from the packed-out away end - and no doubt with an angry Welshman with a hairdryer in hand.

Reverting back to Plan 'A'

The second half was only five minutes old before Pulis had seen enough - hooking Guedioura and top scorer Assombalonga and replacing them with Patrick Bamford and Gestede.

For Boro's record signing it was the third consecutive game in which he has been substituted, with Pulis going back to his trademark target man blueprint in a bid to get Boro moving again.

It almost paid dividends instantly, but instead of Gestede it was Bamford's header which caused Maxwell concern after a smart free-kick from Grant Leadbitter.

No sooner had Gestede entered the fray, long throw specialist Shotton was given the nod by Pulis - and within 10 minutes he too entered the fray as Boro made no secret of their intention for the final half-hour.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis

Direct football does not have to be boring - and so Boro proved as Pulis' side pulled off a dramatic comeback.

Preston were in no mood to entertain a New Year turnaround as Traore - who had the beating of Clarke early on - was brought crashing down to the turf by an uncompromising challenge by Daniel Johnson.

Then the game descended into the physical battle many anticipated before kick-off. It played into Boro's hands - and the leveller was just around the corner as Pulis' more direct approach drew the visitors level.

A long diagonal into Gestede was not dealt with by the previously untroubled Preston rearguard, and Jonny Howson capitalised as he curled home wonderfully from 25 yards to draw Boro level.

Pulis' men then seized control. From a Preston throw-in deep in the Boro half, the away side broke - at pace - with Bamford and Traore combining nicely.

And as the ball rolled into Gestede's feet, just outside the box, the away fans waited in anticipation.

It was an excellent strike from the Benin international, still awaiting his first goal since the home game with Sheffield United in August, but crept agonisingly over the bar.

All of a sudden, a drenched Deepdale was like a dam ready to burst - and it did right in front of the ecstatic travelling Red Army as Traore's cross from the right was clinically dispatched for a second time by Ayala.

17 minutes. That's how long Boro had to hang on - and they did with relative ease as they squeezed the space, closed down their opponents and made life awkward for the Lilywhites.

In 2017, Boro fans only saw five wins on the road in all competitions.

Under Pulis, it's one from one away from the Riverside. Long may that continue.

Boro (4-5-1): Randolph; Christie (Shotton 59), Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Downing, Leadbitter, Guedioura (Bamford 50), Howson, Traore; Assombalonga (Gestede 50).

Subs not used: Dimi, Baker, Johnson, Fletcher.