Middlesbrough 2-1 Cardiff City

Patrick Bamford scored his ninth goal of the season for Boro

Middlesbrough survived a Cardiff scare to move second in the Championship.

Chelsea loanee Patrick Bamford tucked in Adam Reach's cross from close range to edge Boro in front on 63 minutes.

Kike should have made it comfortable but put a headed chance wide, before Reach was once again the provider, squaring for Lee Tomlin to finish.

Cardiff's Kenwyne Jones headed in Joe Ralls' cross with five minutes left, but Boro, who have lost just once in 15 games, held on for the three points.

It was the second time in four days that Cardiff almost staged a late comeback, having lost 3-2 at Norwich on Saturday after being 3-0 down.

But Boro had just enough to come through an uninspiring contest and move above Ipswich on goal difference. They are now within one point of leaders Bournemouth, who lost 1-0 at Leeds United.

Cardiff have recorded just one win on the road, but they looked to contain a Middlesbrough side that had won their last three at the Riverside.

Boro created plenty of chances in the opening period, with George Friend heading wide a rare opportunity.

After the break Cardiff protested at referee Geoff Eltringham, with the visitors claiming Adam Clayton's tackle on Alex Revell was two-footed, but the midfielder was only shown a yellow card.

Eventually, Bamford scored his ninth of the season when Tomlin released Reach, who fired across for the youngster to stroke home.

Bamford then provided a cross that Kike should really have headed in, but Reach was once again racing to the by-line and was able to pick out Tomlin for Boro's second.

Aron Gunnarsson had already looped an effort wide as the Bluebirds looked to respond, and even though Jones became the first man to score past Middlesbrough since 20 December, Aitor Karanka's side lifted themselves into the automatic promotion spots.

Middlesbrough face Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday and manager Aitor Karanka said:

"I am looking forward to it. We are going to go to that game in the best shape. We have had six points from our last two games but it will be a very big challenge.

"They have one of the best squads in the league but sometimes surprises can happen."

Cardiff City manager Russell Slade:

"Maybe the first goal was crucial and they got that. It was frustrating because we started the second half well and from a counter-attack they hurt us.

"I was pleased with the defensive set-up and we were much more compact. But, ultimately, we've come away from two away games with no points and that's frustrating."