So it was a good night for Middlesbrough, who at least temporarily leap-frog Burnley into third place and who are a point behind leaders Hull City.

QPR stay 13th, but can be caught by any one of five teams if the results go a certain way this weekend.

Hope you have enjoyed following this one with us here on the BBC, and don't forget Bristol City v Hull - tomorrow afternoon from around midday.

Until then, goodnight.

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka told Sky Sports:

"I'm really pleased we won the game.I was really confident, it's not the first time he's scored an important penalty. I trust him a lot.

"It's a good test for us after the defeat against Hull, I'm proud of this team."

With interim manager Neil Warnock absent tonight, the QPR players did everything they could to impress under his interim assistant to the interim manager Kevin Blackwell.

They were dogged, quick to close down and grew in adventure as the game went on.

Unfortunately for Blackwell, the fans and all connected at Loftus Road they were edged out at the end, a defeat that extends their away losing streak to five games.

Image source, Rex Features

The scenes on the touchline and on the pitch said it all tonight, Middlesbrough know just how important that win was - not just for the three points but for the manner in which they were acquired.

Queens Park Rangers were tough to break down and it took persistence and pressure to force the error that brought about the penalty.

When it came, Grant Leadbitter was there to finish and his leadership was keenly felt after his absence in the 3-0 defeat by Hull last time out.

Grant Leadbitter told Sky Sports:

"It was a big three points, we had possession all game and persistence paid off.

"Every three points is big, we win our home games and we keep in touch with the pack."

Middlesbrough have won it, celebrations all round, Rangers look stunned, and undeserved losers in a way.

Yun Suk-young off, Michael Petrasso on for Rangers as they seek a last-gasp equaliser.  

What's gone on here? Daniel Ayala's shot is blocked on the line but the assistant referee is flagging. And Leroy Fer has been sent off. Either way, it's a penalty for Boro and Rangers are down to 10.

Kike shoots, ball skims off a QPR player and out for a corner.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough fans voicing frustration, largely at QPR's spoiling tactics now. Into added time. Five minutes.

Home side trying to work an opening, but Rob Green again smart.

James Perch down, eating up the clock.

Middlesbrough fans don't like it. He finally gets up and walks off, having chalked off a good minute.

What QPR have done majestically tonight is press Boro higher up the pitch, thus cutting their supply at source.

They've two and a half minutes to hold out. Plus stoppages.

Nsue scampers down the right and wins a corner for Middlesbrough.

However sheer weight of numbers from QPR sees them hook it clear but Boro continue to press.

Dimi comes out to claim a QPR corner and ease some Boro nerves.

The game has become slightly scrappy, and harder to predict if or when we'll get a goal or not.

Form would say it's more likely to be Boro, given they've only conceded two in nine home games.

Sandro off, JET (WHOOO-OOOH-OOOH-OOOH - sorry, Wings joke there) comes on.

JET is Jay Emmanuel-Thomas by the way.

Image source, Rex Features

Last 10 minutes at an increasingly chilly Riverside.

Boro head-coach Aitor Karanka has gone for the big, comfy bench coat. Might be rueing leaving that cashmere sweater at home now...

Rangers preparing Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to come on.

Boro have got two centre forwards on now, with David Nugent and Kike providing an option up top.

Middlesbrough follow suit, bringing off wideman Albert Adomah and sending on Spanish striker Kike.

Daniel Tozser comes on, replacing Alejandro Faurlin, who has does enough to deserve a nice sit down and bottle of energy drink for the next quarter of an hour or so.