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Tommy Conway had only scored once since August before his decisive strike Middlesbrough came from a goal down to move back into second place in the Championship and condemn injury-hit Stoke to a home defeat. Boro were off the boil in the opening 45 minutes and deservedly trailed to Tomas Rigo's fortunate first goal for the Potters. But Kim Hellberg's visitors were revived after the interval and goals from Alan Browne and Tommy Conway moved them above Ipswich Town into an automatic promotion place. Mark Robins' home side badly need forward reinforcements if they are to continue any sort of promotion challenge. They fell two points and a place outside the play-off positions and ended the game with 10 men when Bosun Lawal was shown his second yellow card of the night. The threadbare Potters are without all four of their forwards - they have scored five goals in their last seven league games - and have also lost new goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu to a thigh injury after just one appearance. Despite their issues, they ran all over a sluggish Boro in the first half and were rewarded when Rigo hit a dipping shot from 20 yards which pitched in front of the dive of goalkeeper Sol Brynn and squirmed through his grasp. Brynn then made a brilliant one-handed save to turn Million Manhoef's shot on to the crossbar and denied makeshift striker Lamine Cisse with his legs as Stoke continued to impress. Boro made a double change at the break and they were level within three minutes. Hayden Hackney drove into the area and while his shot was saved, the ball was fired back across and Browne was on hand to smash into the roof of the net. Manhoef scooped over before Conway completed the Boro turnaround before the hour mark. Browne, a midfielder converted to right-back, whipped in a wonderful cross which had the Championship's second-best defence in a mess and allowed Conway to swivel and turn home. Brynn was troubled by two fine Sorba Thomas free-kicks and a Cisse strike as Stoke looked for a response but Lawal was then dismissed to add to Robins' squad woes. With four of their next six games at home, Middlesbrough look well placed as they bid for a Premier League return. Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg told BBC Tees: "It was a terrible first 25 minutes, the worst kind of play, not being brave in your position - but in the second half we had a different attitude and turned the game around. "I felt we were not sharp, but that's life sometimes. We woke them up at half-time and it was a different story, we were strong. "We have to focus on ourselves. This period of the season is tough but we have six points from two away games and have scored five goals. " Stoke manager Mark Robins told BBC Stoke & Staffordshire: "They are giving everything they can, they are running on fumes. Whatever can go wrong is going wrong. "We've got to keep giving everything until we can get some bodies back. I cannot believe how people are going down with the injuries they are. It is biting us on the backside. "Gavin Bazunu will be out for six weeks or so. We are paper thin. " This video can not be played Mark Robins: 'They're giving everything' This video can not be played Kim Hellberg: 'Impressed' with six points from two away games After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 21st January 2026 at 21: 55 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Kim Hellberg Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Mark Robins Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Kim Hellberg Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Stoke have only enjoyed three wins in their last 15 league meetings with Middlesbrough (D5 L7), winning none of their last three against Boro (D1 L2). After their 3-1 win last season, Middlesbrough could win back-to-back league visits to Stoke for only the second time in their history, previously doing so in March 1956. Stoke have won each of their last five home league matches played on a Wednesday, their best winning streak on this day of the week since December 1996 (6). Middlesbrough have only lost two of their last 13 away league matches on a Wednesday (W8 D3), defeats at Preston in February 2024 (1-2) and Sheffield United in February 2025 (1-3). Mark Robins has won six of his nine previous Championship home games against Middlesbrough as a manager (D1 L2), although did lose his only one as Stoke boss last season (1-3). Match ends, Stoke City 1, Middlesbrough 2. Second Half ends, Stoke City 1, Middlesbrough 2. Attempt blocked. Sverre Nypan (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hayden Hackney. Attempt missed. Lamine Cissé (Stoke City) left footed shot from very close range is high and wide to the left following a corner. Attempt saved. Lamine Cissé (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Sol Brynn (Middlesbrough). Corner, Stoke City. Conceded by Aidan Morris. Foul by Sverre Nypan (Middlesbrough). Eric-Junior Bocat (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Dael Fry replaces Tommy Conway. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Foul by Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough). Ben Wilmot (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough). Maksym Talovierov (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Sverre Nypan (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Eric-Junior Bocat (Stoke City). Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough). Attempt missed. Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right misses to the left. Assisted by Sverre Nypan. Foul by Adilson Malanda (Middlesbrough). Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.