Stoke defender Nathan Collins rises highest to score the opener
Stoke moved up to fifth in the Championship as a header from Nathan Collins proved enough to defeat Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough.
The Potters made the better start and were rewarded when the Irish defender headed home Morgan Fox's cross.
They almost doubled their lead when Middlesbrough forward Chuba Akpom inexplicably headed towards his own goal but Marcus Bettinelli saved.
George Saville's shot against the post was the closest Boro came to a reply.
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Stoke overcame the early loss of Sam Clucas to injury to claim back-to-back 1-0 wins and their third consecutive clean sheet.
Collins' header was the first meaningful action, with the defender nodding home after finding himself unmarked in the Boro penalty area.
It was almost two for the home side in bizarre fashion as Akpom headed back towards his own goal from a free-kick, forcing Bettinelli into a smart save.
The visitors were struggling to create chances and but did come close in the 38th minute when Saville struck the post after Marvin Johnson's effort had been palmed away.
Boro boss Warnock made a triple change shortly after the hour mark when Duncan Watmore, Britt Assombalonga and Patrick Roberts entered the fray.
But the substitutions had little effect with Stoke's top scorer Tyrese Campbell missing an opening to make the winsafe.
Dael Fry saw a late volley blocked by James Chester but Boro only managed one shot on target all game and they remain 10th, while Stoke moved into the play-off places.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsStoke
- 32Bursik37Collins12Chester6BatthSubstituted forShawcrossat 67'minutes3Fox24Cousins22ClucasSubstituted forTymonat 8'minutes26CampbellBooked at 69mins25PowellSubstituted forOakley-Bootheat 74'minutes11McClean18BrownBooked at 79mins
Substitutes
- 5Lindsay7Ince9Vokes14Smith17Shawcross20Oakley-Boothe23Verlinden28Lonergan35Tymon
Middlesbrough
- 1Bettinelli29Spence6FryBooked at 26mins17McNair27BolaBooked at 90mins16Howson7TavernierSubstituted forWingat 90+1'minutes5MorsySubstituted forWatmoreat 62'minutes22SavilleBooked at 70minsSubstituted forFolarinat 90+1'minutes3JohnsonSubstituted forRobertsat 62'minutes10AkpomSubstituted forAssombalongaat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Wing9Assombalonga15Wood18Watmore19Roberts24Folarin32Stojanovic33Coulson37Jones
Referee:Jeremy SimpsonMatch StatsHome TeamStokeAway TeamMiddlesbroughPossessionHome48%Away52%ShotsHome9Away8Shots on TargetHome5Away1CornersHome0Away2FoulsHome18Away12Live TextPost update
Match ends, Stoke City 1, Middlesbrough 0.
90'+8'Full Time
Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Middlesbrough 0.
90'+5'Booking
Marc Bola (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by Marc Bola (Middlesbrough).
90'+5'Post update
Jacob Brown (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+4'Post update
Attempt missed. Lewis Wing (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
90'+3'Post update
Attempt blocked. Britt Assombalonga (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
90'+2'Post update
Lewis Wing (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City).
90'+1'Substitution
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Lewis Wing replaces Marcus Tavernier.
90'+1'Substitution
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Sam Folarin replaces George Saville.
86'Post update
Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by James McClean.
82'Post update
Patrick McNair (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'Post update
Foul by James McClean (Stoke City).
81'Post update
Offside, Middlesbrough. Dael Fry tries a through ball, but Britt Assombalonga is caught offside.
81'Post update
Attempt blocked. Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
81'Post update
Attempt blocked. Jonny Howson (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Djed Spence with a headed pass.
80'Post update
Patrick Roberts (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
80'Post update
Foul by Morgan Fox (Stoke City).
80'Post update
Attempt missed. Tyrese Campbell (Stoke City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jordan Cousins following a fast break.
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Source: bbc.com