Middlesbrough take a 2-1 lead into half time against Nottingham Forest in the Championship early kickoff.

Aitor Karanka's men took the lead inside two minutes when George Friend sent over a cross from the left wing, which Albert Adomah left for David Nugent to stroke the ball past Dores de Vries from close range.

However, Forest replied just five minutes later after Matt Mills connected with a Henri Lansbury corner to blast the ball high into the Boro goal past Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

In an action-packed first 10 minutes, Stewart Downing was put through one-on-one by Adam Clayton but the former England international was denied by the feet of De Vries.

The Dutch goalkeeper was called into action again as Middlesbrough came close twice, with Nugent powering an effort that was saved by De Vries before he recovered to also palm away Adomah's follow-up effort.

Middlesbrough did go back in front midway through the first half after Clayton crossed the ball into the box, Kelvin Wilson could only head up in the air for former Forest loanee Daniel Ayala to nod the ball past a helpless De Vries.

Forest attempted to reply quickly again, with Eric Lichaj curling an effort from outside the box but the shot was well saved by Konstantopoulos before the break.