Middlesbrough 0-1 Charlton: Boro’s promotion hopes hit by home defeat

Middlesbrough’s promotion hopes were dealt a painful blow as Conor Coady gave Charlton a surprise win at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro were hoping to keep up the pressure on Championship leaders Coventry with victory but instead dropped precious points in their pursuit of a place in the Premier League.

Coady’s second-half winner leaves Boro eight points behind the Sky Blues, and more importantly just one ahead of a charging Millwall in third place.

It is nine years since Boro were in the top flight and they now face a massive last nine games in a tussle for a priceless top-two finish.

Kim Hellberg’s home side dominated possession throughout the game but not for the first time of late lacked a clinical touch in attack and were frustrated by the well organised visitors.

Wing-backs Matt Targett and Callum Brittain were wasteful in good positions early on, while Aidan Morris thumped the crossbar during a strong first-half spell.

The Addicks had their moments on the break, though, and Charlie Kelman should have done better when his shot was saved by Sol Brynn at his near post.

The pattern of play continued in the second half until Coady, on his 400th career league start, got ahead of his marker to touch in a mammoth throw from Harry Clarke.

The goal, his first for the club since arriving from Wrexham, all but silenced the home fans.

Boro kept up the pressure, ending the night with 34 shots on goal, but Will Mannion in the Charlton goal was largely untroubled until he saved well from Hayden Hackney late on.

Charlton, who had won just one of their previous 12 on the road, now look comfortable in 17th place with a nine-point cushion to the relegation zone.