Aitor Karanka's first return to the Riverside Stadium ended in defeat as his former club Middlesbrough beat Nottingham Forest 2-0.
Forest boss Karanka, who left Boro in March last year after a dismal run in the Premier League, could do nothing to prevent a defeat which keeps Tony Pulis' side in the play-off places.
The impressive Daniel Ayala scored a fine opener in the seventh minute and that was followed by Stewart Downing's low drive in the 31st minute to put Middlesbrough in the driving seat.
Forest offered very little in the final third and never looked like ending a wait for a goal that has extended to five matches.
LATE NIGHT MEETS HIGHLIGHTS.
