Jon Walters scored a late consolation goal from the penalty spot but Blues are still left looking for a first League win of the season.

The former Chester frontman converted in the fourth minute of injury time after he had been fouled but a Gary O'Neil goal and a brace from substitute Jeremie Aliadere gave Boro the points at the Riverside.

O'Neil headed in just past the quarter hour from Marvin Emnes' cross to give Middlesbrough the edge at the break and former Arsenal striker Aliadere wrapped up the points with a header on 65 minutes and then a cool finish late on as Gareth Southgate's side preserved their record of only one defeat at the Riverside in 14 games.

Roy Keane made five changes to the Town side that drew with Preston, with new arrivals Edwards, Grant Leadbitter and Liam Rosenior all making their debuts. Jaime Peters returned to the side after recovering from an ankle injury with Damien Delaney coming in at left-back.

David Wheater sent a free-kick straight into the Town wall on six minutes after Blues had conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box, Leroy Lita almost getting on the end of O'Neil's cross as Boro pressed early on.

O'Neil went down inside the box after good work by Adam Johnson, referee Kevin Friend waving away penalty appeals but Blues failed to clear and Marvin Emnes beat Gareth McAuley and crossed for O'Neil whose header looped over Richard Wright into the net.

Town responded with Pablo Counago linking up with Leadbitter, the midfielder's excellent cross just evading Peters at the far post.

Edwards and Rosenior were forming a promising partnership down the right flank, Edwards' pace carving out another cross that Peters couldn't get on the end of.

Leadbitter was booked for a foul on Julio Arca, Delaney soon following for a late challenge on O'Neil.

McAuley and Alex Bruce were both denied in quick succession from Edwards' corner in Town's best effort of the opening half, Boro then forced into a change with Andrew Taylor stretchered off after appearing to suffer a knee injury, Jonathan Grounds his replacement.

Jack Colback and Bruce were added to referee Friend's notebook for fouls just before the break, both players protesting they had won the ball, with Johnson, who finished the half very lively, also yellow carded for a dive in the box after weaving his way past three Town players. Johnson then stinging Wright's hands with a drive that the 'keeper did well to palm away for a corner as the half closed with Boro edging it.

Arca and Emnes linked up well to almost put in Lita as Boro started the second-half on the front foot, while at the other end, nifty footwork by Bruce created a corner for Town but Edwards' flag kick was cleared by Wheater.

Blues enjoyed three corners in quick succession, McAuley denied from Seb Hines as he looked to get on the end of Edwards' cross.

Town made a double change on the hour with Tamas Priskin and Alan Quinn on for Counago and Colback, with Aliadere replacing Lita.

Quinn was immediately in the action, caught by Arca in a challenge that earned the Middlesbrough midfielder a yellow card, Town then making a third change with Delaney making way for Lee Martin.

Boro extended their lead on 65 minutes with Aliadere's first real touch since entering the fray, the Frenchman heading in Johnson's cross at the near post.

McAuley saw a header cleared off the line as Blues looked for a way back into the game, Edwards then denied by Danny Coyne's save at full stretch.

Arca was replaced by Mark Yeates for the closing stages, the former Colchester player involved in the move that gave Emnes a gilt edged chance to make it three but the wideman failed to take it.

O'Neil became the seventh player booked after hauling down Edwards before Aliadere wrapped up the points with his second five minutes from time.

Martin was booked before Walters got the consolation goal his efforts deserved, blasting in a penalty with the last kick of the game after he had been fouled as Boro conceded their first goal at home this season.

Middlesbrough: Coyne, McMahon, Wheater, Hines, Taylor (Grounds 41), O'Neil, Williams, Arca (Yeates 77), Johnson, Emnes, Lita (Aliadere 60). Subs not used: Jones, Franks, Bennett, Hoyte. Booked: Johnson, Arca, O'Neil.

Town: R.Wright, Rosenior, McAuley, Bruce, Delaney (Martin 65), Edwards, Leadbitter, Colback (Quinn 60), Peters, Counago (Priskin 60), Walters. Subs not used: Lee-Barrett, Smith, Trotter, Stead. Booked: Leadbitter, Delaney, Colback, Bruce, Martin.
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