Goals from Faris Haroun and Ishmael Miller have earned Middlesbrough victory over Hull City at the Riverside Stadium.
In a quiet first half, Marvin Emnes had the best of the chances after he found space inside the Hull penalty area but the forward failed to find a way past Ben Amos.
The visitors became more of an attacking threat in the closing stages of the first period but their search for a goal was halted by a stubborn Middlesbrough defence.
Tony Mowbray's side took control after the break and should have been ahead when Ishmael Miller found space inside the six yard box. However, his header sailed over the crossbar.
Middlesbrough found the first goal on the hour mark when George Friend picked out Faris Haroun, with the midfielder finishing well inside a congested penalty area.
Ishmael Miller doubled his side's lead just six minutes later by smashing the ball into the roof of the net following some good attacking play from Scott McDonald.
The visitors continued to search for a way back into the contest until the final whistle but Jay Simpson's miss from close range summed up a frustrating night for Steve Bruce's men.
Callum Mulvihill
