Here's how Boro's players rated at Blackpool:

6 Steffen: Quiet night but comfortable when called upon

7 Smith: Linked up well with Jones on right side

8 Fry: Another outstanding showing at the heart of the defence. Looking back to his best

8 Lenihan: Didn’t put a foot wrong alongside Fry.

8 Giles: Brilliant deliveries caused problems all night.

8 Jones: His best display this season. Fearless and direct, Blackpool left-back Dom Thompson couldn’t handle him

8 Hackney: Assured and classy again.

8 Howson: Set the tempo and controlled the game. Established a fine partnership with Hackney

7 McGree: Not as influential as he was against Bristol City but again linked up well with Giles.

9 Akpom: A cut above. Started the move that created the first goal, scored the third. Brilliant.

8 Forss: Used his impressive Bristol City showing as a springboard. Full of running and his first goal since early August.

Substitutes:

7 Crooks (for Forss, 63): Put himself about

Muniz (for Akpom, 73)

Hoppe (for McGree, 83)

Willis (for Jones, 83)

Mowatt (for Howson, 83)

Subs not used: Roberts McNair

Blackpool: Maxwell 5, Carey 5, Ekpiteta 4, Husband 4 (Williams 54 - 5) Thompson 5 , Ward 5, Dougall 5, Patino 5 (Wright, 79); Yates 5, Madine 5, (Lavery, 64) Corbeanu 6 (Hamilton, 64)

Subs not used: Subs: Grimshaw, Garbutt, Wright, Poveda