Britt Assombalonga scored his 50th Sky Bet Championship goal as Middlesbrough climbed to the division's summit with a 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday.
A lacklustre first half had left plenty to be desired, but Mo Besic got Boro going when he tucked home after a flowing move (49) and Assombalonga then seized on Tom Lees' defensive error to tap home a second within minutes (55).
Adam Reach set up a grandstand finish in the Steel City when he arrowed a stunning volley beyond Darren Randolph to halve the deficit (82), but Tony Pulis' side battled to survive a late, inspired Owls fightback.
The victory moves Boro - 6/5 for promotion - level on points with Sheffield United, though the Teessiders top the division overnight on goal difference, while Jos Luhukay's side remain sixth, having failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening 13 games.
Oh no, look away now #SWFC fans 🙈
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 19, 2018
🤷♂️ Tom Lees dallies on the ball at the back
🎯 You cannot do that against a quality Middlesbrough side without punishment
👏 Unselfish from Mo Besic
⏱️ Two goals in six minutes
🔥 #Boro are going top
👇pic.twitter.com/WbX5JnuJmw
🚀 Here is that stunning volley from Adam Reach
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 19, 2018
💷 He was 16/1 to score from outside the box!
👏👇 #SWFCpic.twitter.com/RJYY423sO3
Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
Odds correct as of 2215 BST on 19/10/18
