High-flying Middlesbrough secured a 3-1 win against struggling Charlton Athletic in this afternoon's Championship clash at the Riverside Stadium.

The hosts took the lead after just five minutes, with Patrick Bamford thumping a header past goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic from a corner.

Boro carried on threatening as the first half went on and nearly scored again through George Friend, who headed over, and Grant Leadbitter, who saw his shot deflected out for a corner.

Bamford had a great chance to score again just after the quarter-hour mark after being set up by Lee Tomlin, but the Chelsea loanee was thwarted by a smart Dmitrovic save.

However, the Addicks found their equaliser not long before the break when Yoni Buyens laid the ball off to Johann Gudmundsson, who smashed into the top corner from 20 yards.

It was not long after the restart until Boro were back in front. A scramble in the Charlton box allowed Jelle Vossen to charge in and power home from close range.

Guy Luzon's charges, back to square one, set about trying to level proceedings once again and came close through Jordan Cousins and Simon Church, who both saw shots blocked en route to goal.

Both sides traded chances as the game opened up, with Adam Clayton, Vossen and Bamford all coming close for Boro around the hour mark.

The fourth goal did come the way of the hosts as Tomlin blasted into the net from 25 yards to secure his side all three points.

Boro remain third in the Championship after Derby County and Bournemouth both won this afternoon, while Charlton slip to 19th.