Full-time: Brighton 1 Middlesbrough 2

MIDDLESBROUGH climbed to third in the Championship table as another polished away display resulted in a convincing 2-1 win over Brighton.

Lee Tomlin’s early strike set Boro on their way, and Aitor Karanka’s side claimed a two-goal cushion when Albert Adomah scored at the start of the second half.

Gordon Greer’s 88th-minute header ensured a nervy finale that had looked unlikely for the majority of the afternoon, but Boro’s victory was never really in doubt.

The Teessiders are now seven games unbeaten in the league, and are within a point of league leaders Watford, who they meet at the Riverside next weekend.

Karanka made just one change to the side that beat Fulham before the international break, with Ben Gibson replacing Kenneth Omeruo in the back four after a successful week helping England Under-21s qualify for next year’s European Championship finals.

Brighton created the game’s first opportunity, with Gary Gardner failing to make a successful connection to Inigo Calderon’s cross as he mishit the ball through to Dimi Konstantopoulos, but it did not take Boro long to seize the initiative.

Grant Leadbitter’s eighth-minute ball sent Adam Reach galloping away down the left-hand side, and while it initially looked as though the winger’s heavy first touch had squandered any chance of a cross, he successfully pulled the ball back to Tomlin.

The forward still had plenty to do as he eyed up a first-time effort from the edge of the area, but having picked his spot, he calmly threaded a shot between the covering defenders and into the back of the net.

It was a fine finish from Tomlin, but rather than sparking a spell of concerted Boro dominance, it came close to the start of a first half that saw Brighton dominate possession without ever really threatening to hurt their opponents.

With Leadbitter and Adam Clayton working tigerishly in deep-lying midfield positions, Brighton were forced to play their football in unthreatening positions and while Boro were pinned in their own half for long periods, Dimi Konstantopoulos barely had a save to make.

Danny Holla curled over from outside the area, although Boro defender George Friend was forced to produce an excellent sliding block to divert Inigo Calderon’s goalbound shot behind for a corner.

The half-time interval saw Jelle Vossen replace Tomlin, and Brighton started the second half with more purpose than they had displayed before the break.

Kazenga LuaLua brought a decent save out of Konstantopoulos, before substitute Paddy McCourt shot narrowly wide after a mazy run into the area.

Boro needed a second goal to give them some breathing space, and it arrived courtesy of another lightning-quick break in the 53rd minute.

This time it was Daniel Ayala galloping down the right-hand side, and the centre-half displayed excellent technique as his one-two with Vossen sent him clear.

He squared the ball for Adomah, and while the winger’s first shot was saved by former Darlington goalkeeper David Stockdale, he reacted quickly to stab home the rebound when the ball dropped invitingly.

Kike almost added a third when his side-footed shot deflected just past the post off Lewis Dunk, and Boro spent most of the second half in cruise control, such was the lack of threat from the hosts.

A late injury to Adomha, who hobbled off to be replaced by Emilio Nsue, will have to be assessed, and Gordon Greer’s 88th-minute header, which came after a corner had been flicked on at the near post, threatened to create a nervy finale.

However, Boro held on without too much trouble and have now claimed four Championship away victories already this season.

Brighton (4-3-3): Stockdale; Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Bennett; Holla (O’Grady 46), Forster-Caskey (Colunga 77), Gardner; Teixeira (McCourt 30), Baldock, LuaLua.

Subs (not used): Walton (gk), Hughes, Chicksen, Ince.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Fredericks, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Leadbitter, Clayton (Whitehead 60); Adomah (Nsue 85), Tomlin (Vossen 46), Reach; Kike.

Subs (not used): Blackman (gk), Veljkovic, Wildschut, Bamford.