A first-half Emmanuel Ledesma goal was enough for Middlesbrough to see off Charlton Athletic at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship.
Ledesma's long-range effort squirmed under the body of Addicks keeper Yohann Thuram-Ulien, who was making his debut in the Charlton goal.
Yann Kermorgant had the chance to fire his side ahead moments before, but failed to convert after some initial panic in the Boro box.
Thuram-Ulien did go some way to redeeming himself by pulling off two saves in succession, which kept the scoreline at 1-0.
The visitors managed to get the ball in the back of the net in the second half, although the goal was ruled out after the referee spotted a foul on Shay Given.
Charlton also had a chance at the death to level the game, but failed to take the opportunity just moments after Rhoys Wiggins was shown a straight red card for a high-footed challenge.
Boro have now won five of their last six league games, as they push for a place in the Championship playoffs.
Daniel Lewis
