Middlesbrough have moved to the top of the table in the Championship after beating Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road, with both of the goals coming in the second half.
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Brett Pitman could have opened the scoring for the home side early in the match when Freddie Sears picked the striker out with a pass into the box, but the shot was comfortably saved by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos in the Middlesbrough goal.
Dean Gerken also had a save to make early on, as David Nugent tested the Ipswich keeper, but his scuffed finish never really threatened to open the scoring.
Ipswich looked the more likely of the two sides through the remainder of the first half, with Daryl Murphy attempting to set up Pitman, while Luke Chambers also got a shot away, but both were saved.
The visitors made the better start in the second half, resulting in Gerken having to make a decent save less than five minutes after the restart when Grant Leadbitter turned inside the box before attempting to hammer the ball into the bottom corner.
Middlesbrough finally broke the deadlock four minutes later, as Albert Adomah made a run down the left flank before crossing the ball in for Christian Stuani, who beat Jonas Knudsen for pace before nodding the ball beyond Gerken.
Aitor Karanka's side came close to doubling their advantage just after the hour mark as Nugent worked the ball forward to set up Stewart Downing, but the midfielder's finish was held by the keeper.
Boro did add a second with just over 15 minutes remaining as Downing slotted the ball through to Nugent, who held off a challenge from Christophe Berra before putting the ball beyond the reach of Gerken for his 15th goal in 14 appearances against Ipswich.
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Ipswich came close to getting a goal back inside the final 10 minutes as Knudsen made a rare foray forward to meet a cross into the penalty area, but his attempt to nod the ball into the bottom corner did not stretch Konstantopoulos.
Boro could have made it three down the other end just moments later though as Downing thumped the ball at the Ipswich goal, forcing a save from Gerken, before Nugent blasted the rebound wide.
The visitors kept pressing as the full-time whistle approached, resulting in Adomah coming close inside the final two minutes, but Chambers was back to clear the ball off the line as the midfielder attempted to roll a loose ball in.
The result puts Middlesbrough a point clear of second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, although the Seagulls, who are unbeaten so far this season, have a game in hand, while Ipswich sit eighth.
Sian Cowper
