Paddy McNair strikes to earn Middlesbrough FC crucial victory at Charlton Athletic

Paddy McNair scored the only goal of the game as Middlesbrough edged out Charlton Athletic away from home. Picture: Getty Images

Saturday's 1-0 victory at Charlton Athletic was Jonathan Woodgate's team's first since New Year's Day and moves the Teessiders two points clear of the drop zone.

The visitors started off well, forcing a number of early corners, though Charlton soon found their feet and Lyle Taylor put an Andre Green cross over the bar on 16 minutes.

Boro took the lead just moments later when McNair coolly slotted past goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, after connecting with Rudy Gestede's square pass.

Debutant goalkeeper Dejan Stojanovic saw his first real action with five minutes of the half remaining, when Green ran onto a Josh Cullen pass, but shot straight at the visiting custodian.

After a disappointing first-half display, the Addicks made a half-time substitution, with Macauley Bonne replacing George Lapslie.

However, with Boro still looking for the comfort of a second goal, Jonny Howson fired a shot into the side netting seven minutes after the re-start.

Marcus Tavernier should have done better with a solo run two minutes later, but his finish was tame.

Even so, with the home crowd picking up the volume, Charlton had their moments of danger, Pratley slipping at precisely the wrong moment after being fed in by Bonne.

The hosts made a second change with Alfie Doughty replacing Jonny Williams and almost equalised on 69 minutes, but Bonne connected weakly with a cross by Lyle Taylor.

At the other end, Hayden Coulson badly miscued one opportunity to double to Boro lead on 74 minutes.

With five minutes of stoppage-time added, Charlton managed to create one more chance to level matters when Deji Oshilaja crossed the ball in from the right, but Bonne was unable to keep his connecting header down and the ball flew agonisingly over the top.