A fine strike from Lukas Jutkiewicz was enough for Middlesbrough to squeeze past Blackburn Rovers in a tight match at the Riverside this afternoon.
Blackburn had been bright in the early stages and struck the post after just 30 seconds through a flick from Colin Kazim-Richards.
Jordan Rhodes was inches away from connecting to a Martin Olsson cross just moments later as Boro struggled to gain a foothold in the match.
Rovers keeper Jake Kean had little to do in the early stages but was forced to keep out a curling free kick from Emmanuel Ledesma.
Tony Mowbray's side had more chances as the half continued, with Scott McDonald and Marvin Emnes both causing problems.
Jutkiewicz had the home side's best chance minutes before the break but he miscued from close range to leave the first 45 minutes goalless.
The striker made no mistake 20 minutes from time to break the deadlock, reacting quickest to a break by Scott McDonald before slotting home from the edge of the area.
Blackburn tried to respond in the closing stages but were condemned to defeat by a stern Boro backline.
Liam Power
