Cardiff City 1-0 Middlesbrough: Ashley Fletcher own goal hands Bluebirds win

Ashley Fletcher joined Middlesbrough from West Ham United for £6.5m in July 2017

Cardiff City remain unbeaten at home in the Championship this season after Ashley Fletcher's own goal handed them victory over Middlesbrough.

Fletcher headed into his own net after just two minutes and Middlesbrough struggled to find a response.

Neil Warnock's team should really have extended their lead, with Omar Bogle going closest when he hit the woodwork.

But the visitors' lack of threat meant Fletcher's error was enough to secure Cardiff's third win of the season.

Both sides had come into this game on the back of four-game unbeaten streaks in the league, but it was Cardiff who played with more purpose.

It helped that they were gifted what proved to be the only goal, when Fletcher diverted Josh Murphy's left-wing corner beyond Darren Randolph despite being under little pressure at the near post.

Things ought to have got worse for Middlesbrough as a smart Cardiff move ended with Joe Bennett squaring invitingly for Joe Ralls only for the midfielder to miss his kick.

Bogle, who started up front for Cardiff with Robert Glatzel ruled out due to illness, tested Randolph from distance before the break.

Neil Warnock kept faith with Alex Smithies in goal despite the return to fitness of Neil Etheridge.

In truth it did not matter who was between the posts for the hosts as Jonathan Woodgate's team laboured going forward.

Bogle wasted a chance to double Cardiff's lead early in the second period when he prodded wide from Ralls' through ball.

Middlesbrough then conjured their first genuine opportunity, as a corner routine ended with George Saville shooting over.

With the game opening up, Junior Hoilett crossed for Bogle to head against the bar before Callum Paterson's effort drifted over.

Saville saw a tame effort blocked as Cardiff deservedly held on for victory.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock told BBC Sport Wales:

"It would be nice if we could score one or two chances and have a nice easy last 20 minutes but that's not us I'm afraid.

"It was a good performance. I said to the lads - that's more like us, really. Against a good team we didn't give them much of a look-in. We were dominant all over.

"Robert (Glatzel) went down sick this morning. I was disappointed because he scored three goals against Middlesbrough in pre-season.

"I would imagine they got a bit of a lift when they saw his name wasn't on the team sheet.

"Josh Murphy had sickness and stomach cramps. There was no point in risking him. I said to the doctor, make sure they are isolated, we don't want it spreading."

Middlesbrough head coach Jonathan Woodgate said:

"I said before the game you have to match Cardiff physically and I thought we did that thought the game, but we didn't show enough quality on the ball.

"We didn't create enough chances for our forwards - they were basically starved of the ball.

"We will be back training on Monday. We will be working hard and we move on to the next game.

"I have scored an own goal at the Bernabeu. It happens. We move on and get on with it. Hopefully he (Ashley Fletcher) will score a couple of goals against Sheffield Wednesday."