Jordan Rhodes scored just his second Championship goal this season in putting Huddersfield 2-0 up
Huddersfield Town moved to within one point of the Championship's automatic promotion places as they dented Middlesbrough's play-off hopes at the Riverside stadium.
Naby Sarr opened the scoring for the visitors just before half-time, nodding home Jordan Rhodes' header across goal following a Sorba Thomas wide free-kick.
And Rhodes rounded off the win against his old club with a composed finished on the counter-attack on the hour mark having been played through by Lewis O'Brien.
Middlesbrough came closest in the 88th minute when Riley McGree struck the underside of the crossbar, but were otherwise toothless in attack.
- Relive Huddersfield's win over Middlesbrough
Huddersfield's win saw them strengthen their third-place position, going just one point behind second-placed Bournemouth.
However the Terriers' chances of going up automatically as part of the Championship's top two remain slim, having played three games more than the Cherries.
Carlos Corberan's side are realistically fighting for a spot in the play-offs with their victory putting them 10 points clear of Middlesbrough in seventh having played two games more.
They had the better of the opening exchanges, with Boro defender Sol Bamba forced into an error, nearly lobbing his own keeper Luke Daniels early in the first half.
Once they went in front, Huddersfield dominated as Daniels did well to save a Josh Koroma shot when the forward was clean through in the 53rd minute.
Middlesbrough struggled in attack throughout, managing only two shots on target.
The loss saw the hosts' torrid recent Championship form continue. Boro have now failed to win any of their past four, losing three games in that stretch.
A win would have seen them return to the top six. Instead they stay just outside the play-offs, two points behind Sheffield United in sixth having played one game fewer.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsMiddlesbrough
Formation 3-5-2
28Daniels2Dijksteel22Bamba17McNair35Jones48McGree16Howson7Tavernier27Bola18Watmore11Sporar
- 28Daniels2Dijksteel22BambaBooked at 44minsSubstituted forCoburnat 55'minutes17McNair35Jones48McGreeBooked at 68mins16Howson7Tavernier27BolaBooked at 70mins18WatmoreSubstituted forConnollyat 78'minutes11SporarSubstituted forBalogunat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Lumley3Taylor14Peltier23Léa Siliki26Connolly37Coburn47Balogun
Huddersfield
Formation 5-4-1
21Nicholls2Ávila20Turton32Lees23Sarr3Toffolo16Thomas37Russell6Hogg8O'Brien9Rhodes
- 21Nicholls2Ávila20Turton32Lees23Sarr3ToffoloBooked at 36minsSubstituted forRuffelsat 81'minutes16ThomasSubstituted forKoromaat 45'minutes37RussellBooked at 79mins6Hogg8O'BrienBooked at 76mins9RhodesSubstituted forHighat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Anjorin10Koroma14Ruffels15High18Blackman19Holmes24Sinani
Referee:Darren EnglandAttendance:24,230Match StatsHome TeamMiddlesbroughAway TeamHuddersfieldPossessionHome68%Away32%ShotsHome13Away10Shots on TargetHome2Away7CornersHome11Away4FoulsHome11Away15Live TextPost update
Match ends, Middlesbrough 0, Huddersfield Town 2.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 0, Huddersfield Town 2.
90'+5'Post update
Attempt blocked. Marc Bola (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Isaiah Jones.
90'+4'Post update
Patrick McNair (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Jonathan Russell (Huddersfield Town).
90'+3'Post update
Foul by Marc Bola (Middlesbrough).
90'+3'Post update
Josh Koroma (Huddersfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt blocked. Aaron Connolly (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Josh Coburn.
90'+1'Post update
Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+1'Post update
Foul by Scott High (Huddersfield Town).
90'Substitution
Substitution, Huddersfield Town. Scott High replaces Jordan Rhodes.
88'Post update
Attempt blocked. Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
88'Post update
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Pipa.
88'Post update
Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Anfernee Dijksteel.
86'Post update
Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86'Post update
Foul by Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield Town).
84'Post update
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Naby Sarr.
83'Post update
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Tom Lees.
82'Post update
Marcus Tavernier (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
82'Post update
Foul by Jonathan Russell (Huddersfield Town).
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Source: bbc.com