Middlesbrough go top of the Championship after win at Blackpool

Middlesbrough are top of the Championship table, as a late Kike header gave them a 2-1 win away at Blackpool tonight.

Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Forshaw almost opened the scoring after just five minutes when he was found with an accurate through-ball, but he poked his effort narrowly wide.

It took Middlesbrough another 20 minutes to fashion a second real chance, and it took a smart save by Blackpool's Joe Lewis to keep out Daniel Ayala's close-range header.

Early in the second half, Middlesbrough striker Jelle Vossen missed a golden chance to give his side the lead, as he shot wide after a neat through-ball released him on goal, and the visitors continued to pile the pressure on as Lewis was forced into a save to deny Kike.

Middlesbrough made the breakthrough in the 81st minute, when Woodgate climbed high to head home Grant Leadbitter's corner from close range.

Blackpool thought they had salvaged a draw when Gibson put the ball into his own net, but Kike's looping header in the 88th minute won his side the points.