Matt Targett scored twice for the first time in his career as Middlesbrough beat Birmingham City to end a three-game winless run in the Championship.
The Newcastle United loanee’s first-half brace helped Boro cut the gap to leaders Coventry City to five points. Marvin Ducksch pulled one back for Birmingham early in the second half, but David Strelec’s header on the hour sealed the 3-1 win.
The victory also gave Middlesbrough a four-point cushion over third-placed Millwall as they push for a Premier League return, while Birmingham suffered only their second home league defeat in 42 matches and dropped to 12th.
