Last updated on .From the section Championship

Jordan Hugill netted a fourth Championship goal of his loan spell from West Ham

Middlesbrough picked up a first home win in five matches as they condemned bottom club Ipswich to another defeat.

The hosts took the lead through Jordan Hugill's first-half penalty after Jordan Spence was adjudged to have fouled the striker in the air.

Either side of that goal, Darren Randolph pulled off a pair of impressive saves to deny Ipswich from a Trevoh Chalobah header and a Freddie Sears shot.

Substitute Marcus Tavernier doubled Boro's lead in the second half as he slotted home a ball from Jonny Howson at the near post.

Victory would have come as a welcome way to end 2018 for Middlesbrough supporters after coming into the game on a run of three defeats in their past five league matches.

The most recent of those came when Sheffield Wednesday were 1-0 victors at the Riverside, but the home fans had to wait until Hugill's spot-kick to breathe a bit easier.

Ipswich, like they did at QPR on Wednesday, had their chances before falling behind, but were out of contention when Tavernier swept in the second.

Goalkeeper Dean Gerken kept the scoreline respectable as he kept out late efforts from Adam Clayton, George Friend and Hugill.

Paul Lambert's side are now five points adrift at the foot of the table and seven from safety after just two wins in 25 matches this season.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis:

"It was a good result, I thought the players played well but, again, we could have scored more goals.

"But the two goals that we get, we've had easier chances, but it's a great win and I'm really pleased for the lads.

"We're in the top six, we've got an opportunity now to add to the squad in the transfer window and push on.

"I think the way the lads kept going, at 1-0 we had a couple of chances, we should have had a penalty again that we don't get, it was more a penalty than the first one, but in the end we could have scored three or four. I'm really pleased for them and the confidence is important."

Ipswich Town manager Paul Lambert:

"I didn't think it was a penalty as Hugill wasn't getting there. I don't think we deserved to lose the game.

"Some of the football we're playing is at a high level, we're just missing a cutting edge.

"It's a big game on Tuesday (at home against Millwall), but if we keep playing the way we are, we'll get results."