An early goal from Alex Mowatt has given Leeds United a 1-0 lead over Middlesbrough at half time in their Championship clash at the Riverside this afternoon.

It took the visitors less than three minutes to break the deadlock as Lewis Cook intercepted a ball out from the Middlesbrough keeper, cutting back to set up Mowatt for a low strike.

Boro were almost back on level terms just a couple of minutes later as Jelle Vossen was left unmarked in the box, giving him a free shot, but he could not get the ball away.

The hosts created the majority of the chances as the half progressed, but Marco Silvestri punched a Vossen effort clear after Kike had played it in, while Emilio Nsue was also denied by the Leeds keeper.

Aitor Karanka's side continued to press, but Silvestri continued to frustrate the league leaders, tipping a Kike effort over before pushing an Adam Clayton ball clear.

Kike thought that he was in just before the break as got the ball in space out wide before rounding the keeper, but he was just offside, a minute after rifling the ball wide.