Middlesbrough 4-0 Preston North End: Isaiah Jones double boosts Boro hopes
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Isaiah Jones scored his fourth and fifth goals of the season with two smart finishes
Isaiah Jones scored twice as Middlesbrough enjoyed a resounding victory over Preston.
Summer signings Rav van den Berg and Alex Bangura also netted their first goals for the club in a one-sided game at the Riverside Stadium, where the hosts were three up by half-time.
Stuttering Preston's defeat was their sixth in 10 matches and another blow for the Lancashire side after Cardiff scored twice in stoppage time to beat them on Saturday.
They dropped out of the play-off places and are now just one point better off than Boro, whose win moved them up to ninth in the Championship table, three points off the play-off spots.
Boro had managed a total of just seven goals in their previous eight home matches - but were three up within 38 minutes.
Both Jones' goals came after slick build-up play, the first arriving in the 16th minute.
Matt Crooks combined with Daniel Barlaser and carved open Preston's defence with a lovely pass to Jones, who calmly slotted past goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
Van den Berg doubled the lead by chesting Barlaser's right-wing corner into the net from close range.
Jones added a third with another cool finish past Woodman following more neat approach play, this time after being teed up by Morgan Rogers' perfect pass in behind the North End defence.
Preston offered little threat as Boro stayed firmly in control and Bangura's low strike from the edge of the penalty area in stoppage time beat Woodman at his near post to seal a thumping win.
Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick told BBC Sport Tees:
"It was a good night for us, scoring the goals we did and looking dangerous.
"I still think there's more to come from us. We've probably played better in some games and not come away with any points.
"Tonight we've played well in spells and won 4-0, but I'm delighted. There are a lot of positives to take from tonight.
"It's now a great game for us (against Leeds) on Saturday. We'll prepare well in the next few days and look forward to it."
Preston boss Ryan Lowe:
"I'm angry and disappointed. There were harsh words in the dressing room.
"They have given us some fantastic football, but when we went one down there was fear that set in. The first-half performance was nowhere near the levels we expect.
"If we want to keep being a mid-table team, then those are mid-table performances. But we don't want to be that team.
"We came here with full belief we could challenge. I expect us to be better. I will stick with the players, but they know it's not good enough.
"We have let everyone down and what we have to do now is put it right as quickly as we can."