Danny Graham claimed his first goals since returning to Middlesbrough as they finally ended their seven-game scoreless sequence with a comfortable 2-0 success against Ipswich Town at the Riverside.
The on loan Sunderland forward earned the hosts the lead with a close-range finish on the half-hour before heading another right on the stroke of the interval.
Head coach Aitor Karanka earlier made six changes to the side defeated at Sheffield Wednesday last week. Emmanuel Ledesma soon sent an early effort wide while George Friend next volleyed over.
The attacking full-back then curled another attempt behind before the recalled Mustapha Carayol and Jozsef Varga both had shots blocked.
Ipswich’s Paul Taylor missed with a reply after Ben Gibson had got in the way of Daryl Murphy’s effort, until Boro found their first goal in more than twelve hours when goalkeeper Dean Gerken mishandled Carayol’s shot and Graham tucked in.
Then in first-half added time the hosts doubled their tally as Graham firmly headed Grant Leadbitter’s corner across the keeper and into the net.
On loan Nathaniel Chalobah was next to threaten after the break but the visitors covered as changes from the bench were made by both sides.
Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos was finally called into action by Murphy midway through the second period but it was proving a gentle reintroduction into the side for the Greek shot-stopper.
Striker Taylor later swept another effort wide for the visitors and substitute Curtis Main found the side-netting in reply.
Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Varga, Omeruo, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Chalobah, Ledesma, Carayol (Main 81), Tomlin (Butterfield 78), Graham (Kamara 72)
subs (unused): L. Williams, Morris, Atkinson, Steele
Goals: Graham (29, 45)
Ipswich Town: Gerken, Chambers, Cresswell, Skuse, Berra, Smith, Green, Tabb (Williams 72), Murphy, Nouble (Hyam 46), Taylor (Ebanks-Blake 69)
subs (unused): Loach, Anderson, Hunt, Mings
Ref: I. Williamson
Att: 13,965
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