Middlesbrough moved into the playoff places as goals from Adam Reach and Albert Adomah saw the Teessiders past Championship strugglers Fulham.

Boro could have lead far earlier in proceedings, but Adomah was denied by the woodwork in the 12th minute and blazed another effort over moments later.

Fulham threatened from a set piece midway through the opening period as Dan Burn's header was narrowly wide of the home side's goal.

Kike then saw his strike saved by Marcus Bettinelli as Boro largely had the better of the chances before half time. Grant Leadbitter also came close to netting his seventh goal of the season moments before the interval, but his effort was blocked.

Within seconds of the restart, Reach finally found a breakthrough for the hosts when he tucked home Lee Tomlin's cross from close range, to the delight of the majority inside the Riverside Stadium.

Fulham then enjoyed their best chances of the game when Tim Hoogland headed Ross McCormack's corner against the crossbar before Hugo Rodallega blazed a shot over the bar when he only had the keeper to beat.

McCormack tried to rescue a point for the Cottagers, but he was also thwarted as time looked to be running out for the visitors.

Boro then wrapped up victory when Kike played in Adomah and the midfielder calmly slotted past Bettinelli to lift the Teessiders into fifth place in the table.

Written by
Chris O'Keefe