Goal:

1-0: Downing (16, broke away from his marker at speed before firing a low shot inside Camp’s far corner)

Booking: Thorpe (53, foul)

Referee: Paul Tierney (Wigan) – could have issued a card earlier to Thorpe but otherwise kept things flowing. 6

Attendance: 21, 144

Entertainment: 2/5

Boro Roth

Shots on 3 1

Shots off 16 7

Corners 3 2

Offsides 3 1

Fouls 9 9

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

6 Konstantopoulos: Very little to do as the men in front of him did their job to help him out;

6 Nsue: Had a particularly bright opening half hour but could have done more after that

6 Kalas: Defended well – except for a late scare - after being asked to slot in alongside Amorebieta in the absence of Gibson and Ayala

6 Amorebieta: Led by example until an error in the second half could have been costly

6 Friend: A couple of early errors but solid and dependable after that;

6 Clayton: Never looked in any danger of collecting a fifth caution ahead of the trip to Hull

7 Leadbitter: Would have hated to miss out on Saturday but quick to get back in gear;

7 Adomah: His pace provides Boro with a real outlet and it could have been used more

8 DOWNING: Showed his class to get Boro over the line with a lovely finish

6 De Pena: His best game so far since his arrival and could have scored;

6 Nugent: Lively enough without ever really threatening the goal himself

Subs:

Zuculini (for de Pena 66): No problems after his introduction. 6

Fabbrini (for Leadbitter 79)

(not used): Mejias (gk), Ayala, Gibson, Kike, Stephens.

ROTHERHAM (4-1-3-2): Camp 6; Richardson 5, COLLINS 7, Rawson 7, Tofollo 6; Thorpe 4; G Ward 4, Andreu 6 (Maguire 87), Green 6; Clarke-Harris 4 (Newell 63, 5), D Ward 6 (Bowery 72). Subs (not used): Collin (gk); Buxton, Broadfoot, Smallwood.

MAN OF THE MATCH STEWART Downing – put Boro on course for victory with his third goal since his return to the Riverside.