SPANISH duo Daniel Ayala and Adama Traore struck early to put Middlesbrough on track for a victory that continued their promotion charge.

Both players were on hand to give Boro a two-goal lead inside 18 minutes and there was no looking back after that in a game that piled the relegation worries on Barnsley.

Patrick Bamford effectively made sure of three points with his eighth goal in his last five matches in the 53rd minute, which was followed by Barnsley pulling one back five minutes later through the head of Keiffer Moore.

Tony Pulis’ side have now made it four wins from their last five unbeaten games and they remain sixth - now three points clear of Bristol City - having forced themselves back into the play-off reckoning in recent weeks.

And Barnsley, struggling to climb clear of the bottom three after winning just one of their last nine matches, had no answer after Middlesbrough had gained the upperhand early on.

Traore added to his goal tally with another fine strike in the 18th minute and that arrived 17 minutes after Ayala had prodded the home side in front.

Ayala’s finish arrived with less than a minute on the clock at the Riverside and Barnsley couldn’t find a way back under manager Jose Morais.

Middlesbrough’s momentum has been on the increase and Pulis was able to name an unchanged team in his bid to continue that resurgence – and it had the desired effect.

Ayala had been allowed to head up so early because he was trying to get on the end of Ryan Shotton’s first long throw of the day. That was cleared, although not of danger as it found its way back to the full-back on the right.

Shotton’s ideal cross to the back post was met by Ayala, who had outmuscled his marker, and the finish dropped inside goalkeeper Nick Townsend’s right hand post.

Barnsley struggled to make any sort of impact in the Middlesbrough half and Traore added the second 17 minutes later.

The former Aston Villa and Barcelona winger found himself in control 20 yards out. He knocked the ball from under his feet before unleashing an unstoppable low, left-foot drive beyond Townsend’s right.

After that Middlesbrough continued to probe, with Traore and Stewart Downing causing problems down the flanks, but they couldn’t add to the scoreline before the break.

But Middlesbrough didn’t have long to wait for the third after the restart. Downing, who had already had an effort roll wide, sent over a deep corner and it hit Bamford on the knee before finding the net.

That should have been game over there and then but Barnsley pulled one back five minutes later when Moore headed high into the net after Darren Randolph had failed to deal with Gary Gardner’s effort convincingly.

And that gave Barnsley the encouragement required. Randolph turned an effort from Stephen Mallan behind for a corner and Moore headed against the post in another attack.

There were still chances for Middlesbrough too. The best fell to Traore, who was denied a second by Townsend when he should have squared to Lewis Baker and the substitute raged for not being picked out.

After that Middlesbrough did enough to see the game through, without threatening themselves.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-3-1): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton, Besic (Baker 66); Traore, Howson, Downing (Cranie 82); Bamford (Assombalonga 90). Subs (not used): Konstantopoulos (gk), Fry, Johnson, Harrison.

BARNSLEY (4-3-2-1): Townsend; Cavare, Lindsay, Jackson, Pinillos; Knasmullner (Isgrove 61), Williams, Gardner; Hedges (Thiam 46), McBurnie; Moore. Subs (not used): Davies (gk), Moncur, Mallan, Yiadom, Pearson.