Two first-half goals from Britt Assombalonga took Middlesbrough back into the play-offs at the expense of struggling Birmingham City at the Riverside.
Assombalonga headed in after Tomasz Kuszczak had denied Stewart Downing’s tenth-minute effort before then converting Fabio Da Silva’s delivery close to the break.
Both Martin Braithwaite and Marvin Johnson had already threatened ahead of Assombalonga claiming his tenth goal of the season from close-range.
Daniel Ayala blocked well at the other end, while Darren Randolph also kept out Che Adams before Assombalonga calmly added his second.
Braithwaite sent another attempt narrowly wide after the interval and Fabio had a later shot deflect onto the crossbar
Downing and substitute Patrick Bamford [twice] also went close to further reward for the home side.
Middlesbrough: Randolph, Christie, Ayala, Gibson, Fabio, Howson, Leadbitter (Forshaw 65), Downing (Traore 87), Braithwaite (Bamford 71), Johnson, Assombalonga
subs (unused): Konstantopoulos, Friend, Fletcher, Fry
Goals: Assombalonga (10, 41)
Birmingham City: Kuszczak, Nsue, Roberts, Dean, Grounds, Davis (Maghoma 46), Kieftenbeld, Jota, Ndoye, Gallagher (Jutkiewicz 71), Adams (Cotterill 46)
subs (unused): Stockdale, Boga, Dacres-Cogley, Morrison
Ref: D. England
Att: 22,848
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For the first time in my life I am beginning to hate football , the excuses the politics ,the lack of pride , passion , the consistent avoidance to sign a proven striker , 2 shots on target is a total disgrace to the fans intelligence , will not bring in top sponsorship, no Boro fans I am not talking about your team , I am talking about Brum…