Middlesbrough 3 Birmingham 1

Birmingham's travel sickness continued as they fell to their second Championship defeat in a row.

Blues bossed possession in the first half and took the lead through an Adam Rooney penalty nine minutes before half-time.

But, having completed a long European away trip to Portugal in midweek, the visitors tired noticeably and were eventually undone by three second-half goals from Barry Robson, Faris Haroun and Malaury Martin.

That Middlesbrough's second and third goals came from substitutes also exposed the contrast in quality on the team's respective benches.

In contrast, Birminham manager Chris Hughton only had one realistic option, Chris Wood, and the need to strengthen is now more obvious than ever.

The Blues boss made two changes from Thursday's impressive showing against Nacional in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs.

Liam Ridgewell was absent due to a shin injury picked up in that game, with Keith Fahey being promoted from the bench into a five man midfield. Rooney replaced Wood up front as Blues' loan front man.

Hughton also handed three players their first league starts of the season with David Murphy, Jonathan Spector and teenager Nathan Redmond all retaining their places from midweek.

Wood was named on the bench along with defender Scott Dann, who has failed to start a game this season despite being available.

The home side fielded Carl Ikeme in goal, currently on loan from Wolves. Hot-shot Marvin Emnes was also included, having scored three goals in as many league games for the Teesiders.

Redmond hit a speculative early shot into the side netting from distance seven minutes in, as Blues looked to hit Boro on the counter-attack early on.

At the other end, Barry Robson forced a decent save from goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, before Stephen Carr cleared behind for a corner.

But Rooney was just inches away from opening the scoring for the visitors 13 minutes in, after a clever one-two from Carr and Chris Burke on the right wing.

The Blues striker failed to connect with Burke's cross, which flashed across the face of the six yard box.

But Blues then survived a let off when Scott McDonald shot wide of the left hand post on the edge of the area, after a swift counter attack by the home side two minutes later.

Robson went into the book afte pulling back Redmond midway through the half, but Blues had Myhill to thank for saving Emnes' deflected shot before Murphy cleared the ball behind with 27 minutes gone.

Redmond then tested Ikeme with a 30 yard free kick which the goalkeeper saved, before Tony McMahon struck the post after getting behind the winger.

But Blues took the lead through Rooney's spot kick, after Ikeme had pulled down Burke in the box.

The goalkeeper had saved Spector's shot but Rooney poked the rebound to Burke, who was dragged down as he attempted to go to round him.

Ikeme earned a yellow card for his efforts, but was fortunate to escape a straight red after denying a clear goal-scoring chance.

Tony Mowbray handed a debut appearance to Faris Haroun at half -ime, replacing McDonald, but it was Robson who put them level two and a half minutes later.

Curtis Davies gave away the free kick for an unfair challenge on Emnes, which Robson struck sweetly in off the post.

At the other end, Rooney lifted a chipped effort just over the bar with Ikeme off his line, albeit with no passing options available.

Davies then pulled off a vital headed interception to deny Emnes, who was waiting to pounce on Robson's cross, and Haroun saw a good effort deflected wide off Davies as the home side began to dominate.

But the midfielder controversially gave Boro the lead, from what appeared to be an offside position, with 22 minutes left from Joe Bennett's pass.

Blues were tiring noticeably and substitute Martin, who had replaced Julio Arca thee minutes before the goal, wrapped things up four minutes later with a superb long-range effort.

It was a real body blow for the visitors, who had replaced Spector with Wood less than a minute earlier, in a bid to rescue a point.

With two vastly inexperienced players, Hubbins and Asante, on the bench, a goalkeeper and a defender, Hughton had few options to bring into play.