Middlesbro 2 Scunthorpe 0: Landmark goal boosts Boro
Boyd, who was linked with a move away from the Riverside Stadium in the transfer window, opened the scoring in the eighth minute when he latched onto a hopeful ball forward from Seb Hines before coolly lobbing Josh Lillis. The hosts spurned several chances to extend their advantage but grabbed a second in the 69th minute as Tony McMahon’s left-wing free-kick sailed into the far corner.
McMahon’s strike came seven minutes after a bizarre incident that saw referee Rob Lewis award Middlesbrough a penalty, only to change his mind following consultation with one of his assistants.
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Hide AdLewis took centre stage again with 16 minutes remaining as he dismissed Scunthorpe midfielder Abdi Ibrahim for a second bookable offence.
The Iron have now lost nine of their last 11 Championship fixtures but Boro are unbeaten in six league games.
Middlesbrough: Steele, McMahon, Hines, Bates, Bennett, Emnes, Bailey, Arca, Taylor, Boyd (McDonald 70), Lita (Park 86). Unused substitutes: Ripley, Haas, Grounds, Franks, Smallwood.
Scunthorpe United: Lillis, Andrew Wright, Reid, Togwell, Nolan, Duffy, Ibrahim, Grant (Collins 70), Hughes, Dagnall (Josh Wright 77), Garner. Unused substitutes: Slocombe, Cowan Hall, Williams.
Referee: Rob Lewis (Shropshire).