Christian Stuani has put Middlesbrough on course to move into the automatic promotion places as they lead against Brentford at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro, who started the game only a point behind second-placed Cardiff City, nearly got off to the perfect start when Emilio Nsue raced down the left flank before finding David Nugent, but the former England international's effort failed to hit the target.

However, they almost fell behind moments later when Marco Djuricin's shot drifted narrowly wide of Dimi Konstantopoulos's goal.

Nugent then saw another effort tipped away by David Button, who is making his 100th appearance for the Londoners, as both sides looked intent on scoring goals.

Brentford continued to push for a breakthrough, with Konstantin Kerschbaumer denied room to shoot by the Boro defence before Yoann Barbet blazed another shot high and wide of the target.

The game continued to be end-to-end and the home side were inches away from taking the lead after Stewart Downing's free kick struck the side-netting.

Then Marinus Dijkhuizen's men had another opportunity to edge in front as Lasse Vibe fired a free kick over, just after the half-hour mark, before Alan Judge's effort was saved.

However, Boro finally broke the deadlock 10 minutes before the interval as Stuani tucked Diego Fabbrini's cross low into the corner of Button's net.

On 42 minutes, Djuricin could have brought his side level, but managed to drag his shot wide.