Ryan Giles' deep corner is met by Aden Flint, whose header bounces up on to the crossbar.

Oh so close for Cardiff.

Cardiff suddenly have some energy here - and Middlesbrough are having to defend for almost the first time.

Finally the hosts are in this game.

Rubin Colwill's good footwork causes a problem for Middlesbrough, and eventually the ball drops for James Collins to send a half-volley goalwards from point-blank range - but Joe Lumley saves.

Mick McCarthy has head in hands.

Onel Hernandez beats a man after collecting a short corner, but his low cross is smothered by Alex Smithies.

The new set-up brings a first sight of goal for Cardiff, as Ryan Giles crosses from the left and Mark Harris is snuffed out at the near post.

That was better from the hosts.

Mick McCarthy is going for broke here.

Kieffer Moore has joined Mark Harris and James Collins up front, with Ryan Giles and Rubin Colwill trying to support from the flanks.

The danger is what happens when Middlesbrough counter-attack.

Rubin Colwill has a chance to send a ball into the box, but he overhits it and the moment is gone.

Jason Perry
Former Cardiff defender on BBC Radio Wales

I was listening to what [Mehmet] Dalman had to say and I was shaking my head.

Cardiff City need to change above the manager.

Neil Harris coming back there's been talk of. Would I be surprised? Absolutely not, this is Cardiff City we're talking about.

We are back under way in Cardiff, with Kieffer Moore on for Perry Ng.

Can the hosts find some inspiration and turn this game around, or will Middlesbrough press home their advantage?

Just as a reminder, Cardiff came into this game after seven straight defeats - their worst run since the 1930s.

They have lost five in succession at home in all competitions. They have never lost six.

The slump has to stop somewhere - but Cardiff will need a significant improvement after the break if that is to happen today.

Joe Ledley
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

Being at home the last thing you need is the fans turning against you.

You could hear them jeering as it was coming up to the end of the first half.

Rob Phillips
BBC Wales Football Correspondent

The half-time whistle prompts a chorus of boos. Mick McCarthy heads down the tunnel, surely time is running out for him now as Cardiff City trail in a game they simply have to win.

Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman spoke to BBC Radio Wales just before kick-off and conceded this is the toughest spell in his time at the club.

But Dalman says owner Vincent Tan remains committed to Cardiff.

"The football is not great, the finance is not great, the legal side is not great and we need to navigate through this and we will navigate through this," he said.

"There's a lot of effort being put in, we didn't expect the football side to take so much of our time and attention, but it's time we focus on it.

"Has Vincent lost his commitment to Cardiff? Absolutely not.

He's fully committed. We have no plans of leaving the club, it's just very difficult. The pandemic has hit Malaysia hard and it's hit us hard because there are no revenues apart from what we get at the gates."

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Joe Ledley
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

Cardiff are lucky to be just 1-0 down, but they are still in the game.

You've got to feel sorry for James Collins, he's come into the team and he's had nothing to feed off whatsoever.

We just need to try and play, get a few passes off, keep the ball moving side to side and try and create chances, but I don't know where it's going to come from.

Jeremy Simpson's whistle brings an end to the first half and it is so far, so good for Middlesbrough as the home side are booed off.

Cardiff City have failed to score a first-half goal - yet again - and trail to Andraz Sporar's penalty.

The award of the spot-kick was contentious, but Middlesbrough have been the better side.

Once again, Mick McCarthy has work to do at the break.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Marcus Tavernier dances past Ciaron Brown but cannot find a team-mate with his cross.

Cardiff are limping towards the break here.

The home fans are not impressed with what they have seen as we head into three minutes of stoppage time.

Middlesbrough threaten again.

Uche Ikpeazu does well to hold off his man and sees his near-post shot saved by Alex Smithies.

Once again, a pass to a team-mate may have been the better option.

Rob Phillips
BBC Wales Football Correspondent

What a chance for Matt Crooks.

That could have been it for Middlesbrough and probably it for Mick McCarthy if they'd got a second goal in four minutes.

It was a golden opportunity but he put it wide.

Joe Ledley
Former Wales midfielder on BBC Radio Wales

The penalty looked harsh. It is handball, but these days where do you put your hands? It's down by his side.

It is going towards goal but I think Smithies would have got it.