MIDDLESBROUGH closed to within four points of the automatic-promotion positions as they staged a second-half recovery to see off Swansea City.

Despite dominating for much of the first half in south Wales, Boro were trailing at the break after Joel Piroe stabbed home a fortuitous opener for the hosts.

However, two goals in the space of four minutes turned the game on its head at the start of the second half, with Aaron Ramsey curling into the corner and Cameron Archer heading home from close range.

Chuba Akpom added a third Boro goal from the penalty spot with 13 minutes remaining, taking full advantage after Riley McGree had been chopped down in the area.

The victory was especially valuable given events at Bramall Lane, with second-placed Sheffield United suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Luton Town.

As a result, Boro have closed back to within four points of the top-two positions with ten games of the season remaining.

Paddy McNair was passed fit to return after completing his recovery from the concussion he suffered in the recent defeat to West Brom, and the Northern Irishman replaced Dael Fry, who was absent because of an illness.

Boro started brightly, with Archer curling a fourth-minute effort wide after good approach play from his fellow loanee Ramsey, and the visitors went close again ten minutes later when a stretching McGree narrowly failed to get a shot away after a slick one-two with Archer enabled him to break into the box.

Swansea hadn’t really threatened at that stage, but one minute later, and the hosts were claiming the lead with a somewhat fortuitous opener that was completely against the run of play.

Tommy Smith stuck out a foot to block Ryan Manning’s shot, but the ball deflected into the path of Piroe, who reacted smartly to stab home his 14th goal of the season.

Swansea’s opener gave them a spring in their step, and Zack Steffen was called into action midway through the first half to parry Manning’s long-range strike.

Boro continued to dominate possession, but their bright passing play tended to break down once it reached the final third, with a reluctance to pull the trigger and get a shot away proving their undoing.

McGree finally tested Swansea goalkeeper Andy Fisher on the stroke of half-time, but his effort from the edge of the 18-yard box was easily gathered.

Swansea started the second half on the front foot, but while Jay Fulton bundled the ball into the net eight minutes after the break, the assistant’s flag came to Boro’s rescue, with the effort being chalked off for offside.

It was a crucial moment, as Boro swiftly scored two goals in the space of four minutes to turn the game completely on its head.

Ramsey claimed the first, stroking a composed finish into the far corner after his initial effort had been blocked following a cross from McGree.

Archer scored the second, heading home from an unmarked position close to the edge of the six-yard box as Swansea’s defenders appealed in vain for an offside flag after Hayden Hackney looped over a cross from the right.

Akpom almost added a third goal a couple of minutes later, but while he displayed superb skill to slot the ball through the legs of Joel Latibeaudiere, his subsequent shot only found the side-netting.

Boro’s challenge from that point onwards was to see out the closing stages, and Steffen got down well with 16 minutes remaining to turn substitute Jamie Paterson’s low strike around the post.

Any fears of a difficult finale disappeared three minutes later, with Akpom making it 3-1 from the penalty spot.

McGree was chopped down from behind by Latibeaudiere, and Akpom stepped up to casually claim his 22nd league goal of the season.