And they started like a team with that in mind, with Nugent opening the scoring in the third minute.

Controversy reined when United, 2-0 down at the interval, were denied a way back after Mirco Antenucci netted after a Gaetano Berardi shot was diverted towards him.

Middlesbrough did go two up on 32 minutes when with Silvestri coming out to deal with a cross there was no communication between him and Bellusci and the Italian defender headed the ball into his own net for a real giveaway goal.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Ayala, Amorebieta, Friend, Clayton, Leadbiter (Forshaw 87), Downing, Adomah (Nsue 77), Stuani (Fabbrini 59), Nugent.

As for Leeds, they are further back in 11th but can take plenty of encouragement from the fact that they, like Boro, have lost just once this term.

The visitors thought they had equalised when Berardi’s long-range volley found its way to Antenucci, who finished neatly.

The goal was initially given, only for a long consultation between referee Neil Swarbrick and linesman Scott Ledger to end with the latter retrospectively raising the flag for offside.

Leeds weathered the early storm and Antenucci forced Dimi Konstantopoulos to save his angled shot on 18 minutes.

“I don’t think [the goal incident] is something that would have changed the game”.

Cristhian Stuani wriggled free inside the area and centred for David Nugent who, after taking one touch to control, slotted home his third of the season from close range.

He said: “In many ways the game turned out as I predicted”.

“He [the linesman] told me he had to ask the referee so he wasn’t sure”.

To their credit, Leeds looked more purposeful going forward, with Jordan Botaka enjoying an encouraging debut. “But the main thing is that we have won and we have another three points on the table”.