Middlesbrough maintained their superb promotion push under Michael Carrick, beating struggling Queens Park Rangers to move within four points of the top two.
This victory made it 40 points from a possible 51 for the former Manchester United midfielder since his mid-season appointment to succeed Chris Wilder.
Having been frustrated by Rangers in a first half in which they scarcely had a shot on target, Boro eventually put keeper Seny Dieng under pressure, with Riley McGree's shot touched onto the post early in the second period.
Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom did end Rangers' resistance eventually, connecting with a superb Dan Barlaser cross with a perfect header steered away from Dieng.