Tuesday 3 November 2015 23:43, UK
Middlesbrough were well below their best but still had enough to register a 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory at home to rock-bottom Rotherham on Tuesday night.
Having beaten Charlton 3-0 at the weekend, the expectation was to also make light work of the Millers, but Boro had to make do with Stewart Downing's breakaway goal in the first half.
Although failing to hit their straps, the Riverside Stadium hosts could still have won by a bigger margin as Carlos De Pena and George Friend hit the woodwork.
Rotherham simply did not have enough quality to test Boro and new boss Neil Redfearn has not won any of his first five games in charge, with a relegation battle looming.
The Millers did not help themselves and handed Boro's opening goal to them on a plate in the 16th minute after midfielder Grant Ward passed back without looking and set Downing free, with the former England international surging through on goal and firing into the bottom corner.
That gave Boro the platform to dominate the game and they almost made it two soon after but De Pena's header crashed into the bar with goalkeeper Lee Camp rooted to the spot.
There were plenty of other half chances and the hosts were in total control, with Albert Adomah and Downing both blazing over.
Rotherham look a side doomed and offered little going forward, with Paul Green's shot straight at Dimi Konstantopoulos their only effort on goal in the first.
Boro failed to find the same rhythm after the break and allowed Rotherham plenty of possession, though the strugglers did not have the cutting edge to do anything with it.
It was the hosts that continued to carve out the better chances as De Pena headed another effort over, while David Nugent dragged a shot wide.
The Boro fans were getting edgy as their side failed to blow Rotherham away and the Millers had a chance to capitalise on a defensive error by Friend with 10 minutes to go but their lack of confidence was highlighted as Jordan Bowery was through on goal, but went out wide and skewed his shot.
Friend almost made up for his slip moments later as his far-post shot crashed into the upright, while Diego Fabbrini missed an open net and Downing blazed over.
That was as near as Boro came to adding to their lead, but they had done more than enough against a side heading in the other direction.
The result leaves Middlesbrough fourth after 15 games, one point off league leaders Hull, while Rotherham are five points from safety.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka said:
"It was a tough game and we missed chances to score the second, the third, the fourth, but we have to learn from this game. When everybody was expecting the second goal we played worse, but the main thing is we have won the game."
Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn said:
"It was a vast improvement, at times we played really well. At times they created chances and they could have had another goal, but we also had our chances. Jordan Bowery has gone clean through, it's a chance.
"But it's not the Middlesbrough's of this world where we need to get the results, this top six is by far and away ahead of the rest but it was a really diligent and tough performance."
