ADAM CLAYTON’S goal against his old club and a late Emilio Nsue finish gave Middlesbrough a 2-0 victory in a scrappy game at Huddersfield Town.

In squally conditions where the wind and rain swirled around the John Smith’s Stadium, Middlesbrough acclimatised quicker and took the lead through former Terriers midfielder Clayton, who fired home a deflected effort past Huddersfield goalkeeper Jed Steer.

The Terriers almost replied instantly through former Bradford striker Nahki Wells who hit the crossbar, before Sean Scannell was denied by Dimi Konstantopoulos from close range after Ben Chilwell’s low cross.

This was David Wagner’s second game in charge of Town, and much was made about his philosophy of pressing football, which Huddersfield maintained for much of the first half without any real rewards. Middlesbrough, in front of a travelling support of 3,800 fans, soaked up the pressure from their hosts in the opening 45 minutes, a pattern of play that continued well into the second half.

In fact, Huddersfield only really sprang to life in the last ten minutes, when substitute Flo Bojaj shinned a tame shot goalwards after a low cross rebounded into his path.

But Middlesbrough held firm, and moments later put the game beyond Huddersfield’s grasp when Nsue got forward with George Friend, exchanging passes with substitute Cristhian Stuani before guiding a low shot past Steer.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (4-2-3-1): Steer; Smith, Cranie, Hudson, Chilwell; Whitehead, Huws; Scannell (Dempsey 67), Paterson (Holmes 71), Lolley (Bojaj 79); Wells. Subs not used: Allinson, Davidson, Hogg, Wallace.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Zuculini, Clayton; Adomah (Stuani 63), Fabbrini (Forshaw 63), Downing; Nugent. Subs not used: Mejias, Amorebieta, Kike, de Pena, Stephens.

HOW TWITTER REACTED TO THE WIN:

Pete Dafeet ‏@petedafeet  

Cracking win for the mighty reds, keep on trucking only 6 months to go! #UTB

Jennifer Hayton ‏@x_dreamer_jen_x  

51 clean sheets out of 109 games is outstanding! #UTB #Menofsteel

Sugar Jay ‏@sugarjaymate  

Won the most games, scored joint most goals, conceded second least...#UTB

tom ‏@teessidetom  

@alibrownlee @Boro you can and you will beat this Alistair. Double celebration next year with the all clear and promotion! #UTB

Ryan Blackwood ‏@ryanblackwood13  

Soaked through, socks wet, not perfect display but ground 3pts out. Forshaw made difference. On we march #utb