Middlesbrough beat lowly Barnsley to secure their third win in four matches.
The visitors had a great chance to open the scoring early on when Clarke Oduor latched on to a defensive mistake to run in on goal but he struck the post with his low effort.
Boro took the lead when Andraz Sporar headed home from Paddy McNair's lofted cross after the Tykes had half-cleared a corner.
Home forward Duncan Watmore spooned the ball over the crossbar with the goal gaping after the break but Matt Crooks wrapped up the points late on.
Struggling Barnsley, who finished fifth last season, are 23rd in the table with just one league win all season.