IT is regularly claimed that good things are worth waiting for and that was exactly how the Riverside Stadium felt as a penalty deep in to stoppage-time sealed an important three points for Middlesbrough.

For 93 minutes it had looked as if Boro and Queens Park Rangers would serve up a first league draw between the two clubs in almost 20 years; and that would certainly not have been worth any wait.

And while Boro would have taken a degree of satisfaction in keeping the Championship’s highest scorers at bay for the entire 90 minutes, Aitor Karanka seemed destined to be frustrated by a failure to breakdown the visitors’ well organised shape.

But when Daniel Ayala’s overhead-kick in a crowded area was prevented from going in by Leroy Fer on the line, referee Chris Kavanagh was told to point to the spot by his assistant. Fer, claiming it hit his shoulder, was dismissed and Middlesbrough captain Grant Leadbitter showed his composure to convert the penalty.

The Northern Echo: Queens Park Rangers' Karl Henry, left and Middlesbrough's George Friend battle for the ball  during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday November 20, 2015. See PA story SOCCE

Queens Park Rangers' Karl Henry, left and Middlesbrough's George Friend battle for the ball  during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. 

There was no way back for QPR and Middlesbrough have piled the pressure on the top two, Hull and Brighton, by closing the gap to one point before the rest of the weekend’s matches in the Championship.

A goalless draw could have meant Middlesbrough hitting Monday six points behind the automatic promotion spots, with Hull set to face Bristol City on Saturday before Brighton and Burnley go head-to-head on Sunday.

Despite early signs Karanka had spent the international break trying to find a way to get his players displaying the extra attacking “ambition” he hoped for, ultimately they looked like coming up short until luck turned their way in a dramatic finish.

It now means Middlesbrough can head in to away trips to Huddersfield, under new management, and Ipswich buoyed by a victory rather than failing to score for the second game in a row.

Before kick-off there was an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of those affected by the events in Paris, with the French Tricolor and Solidarite beamed around the Riverside on the electronic advertising boards.

The Northern Echo: Middlesbrough's David Nugent , left chases Queens Park Rangers' Nedum Onouha back pass  during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday November 20, 2015. See PA story SOCCER Mid

Middlesbrough's David Nugent chases Queens Park Rangers' Nedum Onouha's back pass

Both sets of players stood either side of the centre circle before showing that life goes on by playing 90 minutes of football on a cold night on Teesside in front of the Sky cameras.

Karanka showed how important he felt it was to return to winning ways after the defeat to Hull 13 days earlier by fielding, arguably, the strongest team he had available, and yet they lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

That meant a recall for skipper Leadbitter, surprisingly left out at the KC Stadium, and a reunification of his partnership with Adam Clayton in the defensive holding midfield role. There was also a place for Cristhian Stuani after the row with Uruguay over his fitness and his return on Thursday.

Clayton, after a quiet start from both sides, almost created the opener on the quarter of an hour mark. His lovely, chipped pass behind the QPR backline looked to be perfect for striker David Nugent but somehow Nedum Onuoha hooked an exceptional last-ditch clearance away.

One of the criticisms of Karanka’s preferred system is a lack of ambition in attack, but he did ask for more forward thinking and Clayton was also heavily involved moments later in an even better chance.

This time his pass sent Albert Adomah clear down the right and he crossed low in to the box, where Nugent somehow turned his shot against the far post from five yards out.

Middlesbrough started brightly and must have been encouraged by QPR’s lack of a centre-forward, with leading scorer Charlie Austin sidelined through injury; winger Matt Phillips effectively operated as a false nine.

Most of the time Nugent was not on his own up front because Adomah and Diego Fabbrini often joined him, while Stewart Downing was more withdrawn to pick a pass behind the back four. At times, though, it was a back nine, with just Phillips left on his own regularly near halfway.

And yet it was almost QPR, led for the night by Kevin Blackwell because interim boss Neil Warnock had stayed at home for personal reasons, with the lead at the break after a determined and efficient defensive display.

Leadbitter sensed danger when Sandro charged towards the penalty area so he pulled him back, it was a certain yellow card and rules him out of next Saturday’s trip to Huddersfield through suspension. Goalkeeper Dimi Konstanopoulos then had to be alert to punch away Alejandro Faurlin’s goalbound free-kick.

After the restart Faurlin ran the show in the middle of the park, providing a number of crucial passes to create chances and QPR had the first four chances of the second half – and all of them could easily have ended in the net.

Firstly Friend denied Phillips when Yun Suk-Young’s low shot headed his way in the six yard box and Konstantopoulos was equal to grasscutting shots from both Phillips and Leroy Fer. It was not what Karanka had demanded, albeit against a team he always suggested would cause problems.

Middlesbrough did look the more dangerous after those chances, but Green never really looked like conceding; with the best efforts flashing wide from Downing and Friend.

That was until they found an extra gear with 20 minutes remaining, which brought extra noise from the home support, although it still looked like Green’s goal would remain untapped.

But then Fer’s hand blocked Ayala’s effort and Leadbitter stepped up to send the Riverside support home celebrating a much-needed victory with his second goal of the season rather than an unsatisfactory point.

HOW TWITTER REACTED TO THE RESULT

Chris ‏@smoggiec  

Still can't believe Ayala pulled off an overhead kick last night . That lad is having the season of his life! #Boro

sarah ‏@sarahluciax  

Holloway is also right. Our home support could be a lot better. Away support is great, needs to be more like that at the Riverside #boro

Paul Arkley ‏@Arkooo  

Have to say great determination from @Clayts15 last night, the lads commitment is outstanding #Boro #promotion

Peter Singh ‏@Smarmalat  

SUPPORTers are there to support their team. Booing is a negative act. The direct opposite of support. #Boro

TaylorRed ‏@RedcarMike  

What AK on about? Fans where great last night. I didn't hear any boos. All substitutions applauded. Good atmosphere to the end #utb #boro

Tommy White ‏@TommyMFCWhite  

Love a good 1-0 win to take us up to third. Thoroughly deserved in my eyes. Roll on Huddersfield next week #Boro