Middlesbrough have scored three second-half goals to emerge victorious over Charlton Athletic.
Middlesbrough had a flurry of opportunities in the opening half but were unable to convert.
Stewart Downing, who took the captain's armband as Grant Leadbitter began on the bench, fired two efforts in the opening 20 minutes that were both blocked on route to goal.
Charlton keeper Stephen Henderson then got down to keep out David Nugent's low effort, before making an acrobatic save in the 27th minute to deny Diego Fabbrini.
Nugent found himself in the right place at the right time in the second half, as he pounced on Fabbrini's knockdown from Adam Clayton's cross to hand Boro the lead with 60 minutes played.
Five minutes later, Bruno Zuculini almost got himself on the scoresheet but his 35-yard strike rattled the crossbar.
Aitor Karanka's side doubled their lead in the 67th minute thanks to Albert Adomah, who cut in from the right-hand side before seeing his left-footed strike take a deflection and loop past Henderson.
Daniel Ayala made it three for Boro after 79 minutes, heading past Henderson after Nugent flicked on Clayton's ball into the box.
Karanka's side remain in fourth following the three-goal win, while interim Charlton boss Karel Fraeye sees his side stay in the relegation zone.
Colm Hayes
