Birmingham City 0-2 Middlesbrough: Boro move back into top six with routine win
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Folarin Balogun has scored twice in his past three appearances for Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough moved back into the play-off places with their first away league win of 2022 at Birmingham City.
Boro took the lead when Aaron Connolly turned in from close range after some good build-up play down the right.
Paddy McNair had a great chance to make it 2-0 after the break, but Neil Etheridge turned his penalty on to the inside of the post and the ball just stayed out.
Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun smashed home a brilliant second from the edge of the area before Blues defender Kristian Pedersen was sent off late on for a second yellow card after a cynical pull back on Isaiah Jones.
The win was Boro's first on the road in the Championship since 29 December and leaves them sixth, two points above Sheffield United, who have a game in hand.
With the race for the play-offs looking to be incredibly tight, Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder may well think his side should have boosted their goal difference further on a night where Birmingham failed to register a shot on target.
With eight games to play Lee Bowyer's men are 13 points above the relegation zone so their Championship status is all but secured.
Yet this was another difficult night for Birmingham and their supporters, and Pedersen's late red card summed up their evening.
They travel to Swansea City on Saturday, while Boro host Premier League giants Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals later the same day.
Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer told BBC Radio WM:
"That wasn't good enough and I apologise.
"The one thing I demand from the players is that they give everything and they try. All over the pitch we were second best and that isn't acceptable.
"People need to grab opportunities. It's a short career.
"The players are all playing for their careers. It's been a problem at this club for years that people have been going through the motions."
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder told BBC Radio Tees:
"It was important we won tonight and I'm delighted that we have.
"I thought we could have been a bit tidier and smarter on the counter-attack and put them to bed.
"I never thought it would be straightforward bringing in Connolly and Balogun in January because they're young players.
(On winning away from home) "It's been a long time coming. We've shot ourselves in the foot a few times, I don't think we've been lacking belief and confidence but the longer it goes on the more it gets tested."