Goals:

1-0: Tomlin (50, directed a brilliant low drive inside Martinez’s bottom right corner from 20 yards)

2-0: Bamford (66, coolly slotted past the keeper after he was picked out by Tomlin’s lovely pass)

Bookings: Arnason (64, foul); Frecklington (90, foul)

Referee: Iain Williamson (Berkshire) – allowed the game to flow and also did not have to put his hand in his pocket very often. 7

Attendance: 19,537

Entertainment: PP

Boro Roth

Shots on 8 2

Shots off 9 9

Corners 7 0

Offsides 2 1

Fouls 11 10

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1):

7 Konstantopoulos: When he was called in to action he was ready and made a couple of routine saves;

6 Kalas: Defended solidly and made some good runs but let down by his crossing

7 Ayala: A welcome return to the side and came closest to scoring in the first half

6 Gibson: Effective again alongside Ayala after playing together for only the second time in 16 games

6 Friend: Got down the line often enough before the break and stood firm in the opposite direction;

6 Clayton: Kept things ticking over in the middle despite being without his normal side-kick

6 Forshaw: A rare start following his £2m switch and was effective enough in one of the holding roles;

6 Bamford: Didn’t look particularly happy after being switched to the flank again but still scored before missing a penalty

8 TOMLIN: Bright in and around the box and then found a bit of magic to put Boro ahead after half-time

5 Adomah: Wasted a glorious chance and also misplaced a few passes, even though he was involved plenty;

5 Kike: His hold up play was effective but looked like he lacked confidence in front of goal

Subs:

Woodgate (for Ayala 69): A calming influence after replacing Ayala at the heart of the defence. 5

Whitehead (for Clayton 79)

Nsue (for Tomlin 85)

(not used): Ripley (gk), Vossen, Amorebieta, Wildschut.

ROTHERHAM UNITED (4-4-2): MARTINEZ 7; Hunt 5, Broadfoot 5, Wood 4, Lafferty 4; Green 4 (Sammon 76), Smallwood 5, Arnason 4 (Frecklington 69, 5), Hammill 4; Bowery 6, Derbyshire 4 (Ward 59, 5). Subs (not used): Collin (gk), Pringle, Newton, Milsom.

MAN OF THE MATCH: LEE Tomlin – proved the difference by scoring and creating the second before he was replaced ahead of Tuesday’s date with Wolves.