Bournemouth's mid-season wobble threatens to develop into something more damaging after they missed a chance to go top of the Championship with their latest Teesside no-show.
It's six games without a win for Scott Parker's stuttering side after a second-half penalty from Andraz Sporar proved decisive in continuing Middlesbrough's upward mobility under Chris Wilder.
Bournemouth carved out enough chances to win, but let themselves down badly in front of goal as they failed to reward their hardy band of traveling fans - some who had set off at 1.15am on the 630-mile round trip from the south coast for the lunchtime kick-off.