Middlesbrough fell to a 3-2 defeat against Huddersfield Town on a miserable day at the John Smith's Stadium.

That loss was their third of the season and sees them drop further away from the play-off spots.

The Teessiders dominated from the off as a high-press put the Terriers under real pressure.

That led to an excellent opportunity as first Marvin Johnson and then Britt Assombalonga missed the target from close range.

Assombalonga then had a wonderful opportunity from Johnson’s fizzed cross but he somehow lifted his effort high over the bar from point-blank range.

Thankfully his blushes were spared minutes later when Marcus Tavernier broke out of midfield and fed Johnson who slotted under the goalkeeper from a tight angle to make it 1-0.

Middlesbrough were getting plenty of joy against a slow Huddersfield defence, with Richard Stearman allowing plenty of opportunities against him until he was forced off with what looked like a hamstring injury.

Warnock’s side continued to push forward and excellent deliveries from Paddy McNair and Tavernier caused lots of problems at the back.

It was just typical that it would be Huddersfield who got the next goal as Carel Eiting dispatched an effort from the edge of the area.

Middlesbrough looked rattled by the equaliser and were stung once more before the break as George Saville was dispossessed in the middle of the park leaving Fraizer Campbell to provide a neat finish past Bettinelli.

The second half got off to a steady start with the Terriers arguably having the better of the early stages.

Huddersfield kept the ball well and frustrated Middlesbrough who struggled to get a grip on the second period as they looked to find a way back into the game.

McNair had a great opportunity in the closing stages as he fired a free-kick just over the bar from 25 yards.

But Middlesbrough got a stroke of luck as Assombalonga was brought down in the area and fired home from 12 yards to draw the game level.

Warnock was hoping to push for a winner in the closing stages but a fine strike from Josh Koroma restored the hosts' lead with just a few minutes remaining.

Johnson had one final opportunity in the final seconds of the game but his volley was parried away as Middlesbrough suffered their third defeat of the season.

Middlesbrough: Bettinelli, Dijksteel (Watmore), Fry, McNair, Bola, Spence, Howson, Tavernier (Akpom), Saville (Wing), Johnson, Assombalonga.

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