Middlesbrough 0-1 Nottingham Forest

Jamie Ward celebrates his winner that earned Forest a first win on Teesside since 1993

Jamie Ward's goal sealed victory for Nottingham Forest against pre-match leaders Middlesbrough, and extended their unbeaten run to 12 games.

Ward took Ben Osborn's pass and slotted past Dimi Konstantopoulos to give them the lead against the run of play.

The home side had long spells of possession, but missed key chances as Emilio Nsue headed over from close in, while Grant Leadbitter hit the bar.

Hull's win at Fulham moved them above the Teessiders, who dropped to second.

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Freedman on Middlesbrough v Forest

Forest, who also saw Osborn's shot strike a post, started with a game-plan to stifle the home side and executed it to perfection to secure a first win on Teesside since February 1993.

Boro's impressive home defensive record, without a goal conceded in 851 minutes at the Riverside before kick-off, was in little danger during a first half lacking in action.

Jack Hobbs' mis-kick was the nearest the visitors came to a goal, as Boro enjoyed the best of the play, with David Nugent, Tomas Kalas and Cristhian Stuani all unable to connect with teasing deliveries into the box.

Dougie Freedman's side continued to frustrate Boro after the break, with occasional forays from Oliver Burke causing the home side some concern on the break.

Both sides struck the woodwork and then Nsue's miss from three yards out ramped up the anxiety around the Riverside, before Ward's finish eventually broke the deadlock.

Aitor Karanka's side tried to lift a sizeable home crowd, with roars for a penalty when Fernando Amorebieta went down under Gary Gardner's challenge, but they were unable to avoid a first league defeat since August.

Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka:

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Karanka on Middlesbrough v Nottm Forest

"Losing at home is disappointing, but it's not just the game today it's the last three games now. They have been really poor.

"We've lost two games but we're still in the top two and I'm really optimistic.

"I know the reason for the problem but I prefer to fix it on the training ground. The problem is when you're in a bad run and don't know why - but I know the reason.

"With these players we're at the top of the table. We've got two weeks to work and I want to transmit a positive message. It's not by chance we're near the top of the table."

Nottingham Forest boss Dougie Freedman:

"It's a big result for us. The last time Forest won here Mr Clough was in charge, so it's been a long time.

"That was our toughest match of the season because they grind you down and never stop going.

"We stopped Middlesbrough in the right areas. They were not getting shots from the edge of the box or playing one-twos in front of the area.

"Give us credit for not letting them get time and space. We believed from the first 10 or 15 minutes that we could win this."

• Line-ups
• Match Stats
• Live Text

Line-ups

Middlesbrough

• 1Konstantopoulos
• 24Nsue
• 4Ayala
• 5AmorebietaBooked at 59mins
• 3FriendSubstituted forKalasat 40'minutes
• 8ClaytonBooked at 35mins
• 7LeadbitterSubstituted forKikeat 81'minutes
• 18Stuani
• 19DowningSubstituted forForshawat 45'minutes
• 27Adomah
• 35Nugent

Substitutes

• 9Kike
• 10De Pena
• 13Mejias
• 22Fry
• 23Sola Clemente
• 26Kalas
• 34Forshaw

Nottm Forest

• 1de Vries
• 2LichajBooked at 30mins
• 5Mills
• 25Hobbs
• 3JokicBooked at 76mins
• 4Mancienne
• 35BurkeSubstituted forOliveiraat 77'minutes
• 22GardnerSubstituted forWilsonat 89'minutes
• 32Tesche
• 38Osborn
• 19WardBooked at 24minsSubstituted forMendes da Graçaat 84'minutes

Substitutes

• 6Wilson
• 8Cohen
• 15Mendes da Graça
• 17Oliveira
• 23Blackstock
• 26Evtimov
• 29O'Grady

Referee:

Fred Graham

Attendance:

24,975

Match Stats

Home TeamMiddlesbroughAway TeamNottm Forest

Possession

Home63%

Away37%

Shots

Home11

Away6

Shots on Target

Home2

Away4

Corners

Home4

Away3

Fouls

Home9

Away9

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Middlesbrough 0, Nottingham Forest 1.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+5'

Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 0, Nottingham Forest 1.

Posted at 90'+4'

Attempt saved. Nélson Oliveira (Nottingham Forest) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ryan Mendes.

Posted at 90'+2'

Corner, Nottingham Forest. Conceded by Tomas Kalas.

Posted at 90'

Attempt saved. Nélson Oliveira (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.

Substitution

Posted at 89'

Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Kelvin Wilson replaces Gary Gardner.

Posted at 87'

Attempt missed. Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Forshaw with a cross.

Posted at 86'

Attempt missed. Adam Clayton (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

Posted at 84'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Substitution

Posted at 84'

Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Ryan Mendes replaces Jamie Ward because of an injury.

Posted at 83'

Delay in match Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest) because of an injury.

Substitution

Posted at 81'

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Kike replaces Grant Leadbitter.

Substitution

Posted at 77'

Substitution, Nottingham Forest. Nélson Oliveira replaces Oliver Burke.

Posted at 76'

Offside, Middlesbrough. Grant Leadbitter tries a through ball, but Daniel Ayala is caught offside.

Booking

Posted at 76'

Bojan Jokic (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card.

Posted at 76'

Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 76'

Foul by Bojan Jokic (Nottingham Forest).

Posted at 74'

Attempt saved. David Nugent (Middlesbrough) header from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Grant Leadbitter with a cross.

Posted at 74'

Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 74'

Foul by Bojan Jokic (Nottingham Forest).

Goal!

Posted at 70'

Goal! Middlesbrough 0, Nottingham Forest 1. Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ben Osborn.

Posted at 67'

Attempt missed. Nsue (Middlesbrough) header from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Albert Adomah with a cross.

Posted at 66'

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Jack Hobbs.

Posted at 64'

Attempt missed. Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Albert Adomah with a cross.

Posted at 63'

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Bojan Jokic.

Booking

Posted at 59'

Fernando Amorebieta (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 59'

Foul by Fernando Amorebieta (Middlesbrough).

Posted at 59'

Oliver Burke (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 57'

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Posted at 56'

Delay in match Oliver Burke (Nottingham Forest) because of an injury.

Posted at 56'

Foul by Fernando Amorebieta (Middlesbrough).

Posted at 56'

Oliver Burke (Nottingham Forest) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Posted at 55'

Offside, Middlesbrough. Tomas Kalas tries a through ball, but Albert Adomah is caught offside.

Posted at 55'

Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) hits the bar with a right footed shot from outside the box. Assisted by Albert Adomah following a set piece situation.

Posted at 54'

Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 54'

Foul by Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest).

Posted at 53'

Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 53'

Foul by Bojan Jokic (Nottingham Forest).

Posted at 49'

Ben Osborn (Nottingham Forest) hits the left post with a left footed shot from the left side of the box. Assisted by Jamie Ward.

Posted at 49'

Attempt saved. Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Robert Tesche.

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