Middlesbrough ease past Rochdale

Three first-half goals have helped Middlesbrough record a 3-1 victory away at Rochdale.

Middlesbrough took the lead as early as the fourth minute when a corner was only half-cleared to Adam Reach, who controlled the ball before volleying into the corner from 16 yards.

Ten minutes later, the visitors doubled their advantage from the penalty spot through Kike, who made no mistake after being hauled down by Joe Rafferty.

However, as the first half continued, the home side began to find a little bit of momentum, and they were rewarded four minutes before the break when Ian Henderson finished coolly from a cross into the penalty area.

It took just three minutes for Middlesbrough to regain their two-goal lead, though, as Lee Tomlin got himself on the scoresheet after the North-East outfit had been awarded their second spot kick of the half.

Chances dried up during the second half as substitutions disrupted play, but it was Middlesbrough who looked most likely to add another goal, with Albert Adomah being denied by the assistant's flag with nine minutes remaining.

Reach was also in the thick of the action down the left-hand side, but despite him acting provider for a couple of openings late in the game, Middlesbrough had to be content with a 3-1 success.