Patient from Birmingham who break through Scott Hogan, who feeds off to Jeremie Bela and the numbers push forward.

Boro eventually pinch the ball back, but Blues still attacking when the chance provides.

Duncan Watmore can drift anywhere across the front line, and he almost shrugs off the Blues defenders covering him.

He's a smart introduction.

Image source, Getty Images

Boro preparing to send on Duncan Watmore, Championship player of the month for December.

Great form at the moment. Five goals. Replaces Marvin Johnson.

Jon Toral's face screws up as he is replaced by Marc Roberts.

He's done a good job. Blues might just be tightening things up to hold on.

Middlesbrough move forward through Marcus Tavernier and he releases Britt Assombalonga in the box, but his cross is stubbed behind.

The corner was swept in but excellent, confident claim by Blues keeper Neil Etheridge.

Mikel San Jose has just wellied two long balls forward. Proper 'have it' stuff.

One of them was a brilliant through-ball but Jeremie Bela was offside.

Finished it gorgeously though. Sadly. won't count.

First time we've really seen Marvin Johnson go at his full-back for Middlesbrough, he gets the Blues on the backpedal, but his cross was skewed wide.

More movement about the Teessiders now. Possession stats being evened up now.

Mind you, Anfernee Dijksteel hauled down Scott Hogan. Blues free-kick.

Little one-percenters costing Boro.

The latest, a pass by Marc Bola in an attacking position which is just off-target. Goes behind. Releases the pressure.

Tidy up the accuracy. Basics are the platform.

Sorry, that got a bit LinkedIn didn't it?

Mix up at the back almost catches Boro out.

Ball from the left spoons off Jon Toral and wrongfoots everyone, but goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli quells the danger.

Definitely change in approach, and urgency about Middlesbrough.

They work their way up the left touchline with a series of throws, gaining territory. But the whistle blows and Blues get a free-kick.

Belted forward to Scott Hogan, who tangles with the Boro defence and is crowded out.

Already seen a new dimension for Middlesbrough!

Britt Assombalonga holds the ball up and Boro have a platform.

Marcus Tavernier turns the ball round the corner for George Saville who picks his way through the Blues defence...

...but as it opens up for the Northern Ireland international, Assombalonga swipes it off him but scuffs wide.

Forty-five minutes to go then.

Boro need a kickstart. Birmingham need to keep doing what they're doing.

Mind you, Blues took the lead last month in the 4-1 defeat by Boro last month. They know a 1-0 lead can be precarious.

Middlesbrough ringing the changes. Triple sub on the way, with Britt Assombalonga, Djed Spence and Jonny Howson being readied.

Neil Warnock making big calls.

I've been very impressed by Mikel San Jose. Calming presence at the back for Birmingham.

He has been good in the air, bringing the ball forward, and picking out passes.

Paddy McNair has been equally good defensively, but not had chance to impact going forward for Boro.

They need one thing (other than a goal of course). The ball.

Bit of half-time chatter about Ivan Sanchez's coming together with Paddy McNair, after he was clipped in full flight.

Sanchez was pretty angry and there was a bit of afters. There is a suggestion referee Darren England might have stepped in.

Not taking anything away from an excellent Birmingham, but this is not the Middlesbrough we've become accustomed to under Neil Warnock.

Boro had no chance to train before their cup loss to Brentford last week, and only just re-opened the training ground.

Is fatigue keeping Boro a little sluggish? Either way, Blues have much to be happy about from their management of the game.

Richard Wilford
BBC WM

Image source, Rex Features

Birmingham will be thrilled to go in at half-time in front. They have deserved it.

It's been a really good away performance and a huge improvement on recent weeks.

Very composed, professional and confident away performance from Aitor Karanka's Birmingham, who lead thanks to Scott Hogan's goal.

Middlesbrough scarcely involved in an attacking sense, although Sam Morsy's header did strike the inside of post and bar and bounce down.

A rare foray.

Very good cross from Marvin Johnson swung in from the left but Birmingham survive, as George Friend nods away with Chuba Akpom lurking.

Dangerous.

Boro finishing the half with concerted pressure.

Birmingham still closing down well, and shutting down opportunities.