MIDDLESBROUGH climbed to within two points of the automatic promotion places at the top of the Championship with a 1-0 win over Brighton.

Scott McDonald's first-half strike was the difference between the sides, with the Australian profiting from an error by Seagulls goalkeeper Casper Ankergren to score.

And with Matthew Bates and Rhys Williams both outstanding at the heart of the Teessiders' defence, Tony Mowbray's men were able to record only a fourth home success of the campaign.

Boro started brightly, forcing four corners in the opening ten minutes and coming close when Merouane Zemmama flashed an 18-yard volley narrowly past the post.

However, it was Brighton that came within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute as Liam Bridcutt rolled the ball to Kazenga LuaLua and the former Newcastle midfielder drilled a low effort against the outside of the left-hand upright.

That opportunity came something against the run of play, but with Boro continuing to dominate possession, the deadlock was eventually broken in the 22nd minute.

Joe Bennett crossed from the left, and Brighton goalkeeper Ankergren made an almightly mess of gathering, dropping the ball inside the six-yard box. McDonald saw his first shot blocked, but duly bundled home at the second time of asking.

Ankergren's error was a bad one, but the former Leeds shot-stopper at least made partial amends on the stroke of half-time, flinging himself to the ground to intercept another Bennett cross with McDonald waiting to tap home.

Brighton had been second best before the break, but the Seagulls started the second half strongly and should have equalised when Gordon Greer headed LuaLua's corner over the crossbar two minutes after the break.

However, Boro wasted an equally inviting opportunity at the other end minutes later with Bates volleying Tony McMahon's free-kick over the top despite being unmarked eight yards out.

The hosts continued to be the more threatening side, and when Ankergren erred again in the 58th minute, failing to hold McMahon's free-kick, Robson was unfortunate that the rebound came to him so quickly that he couldn't direct his header on target.

Boro resisted some late Brighton pressure to claim the points, but there was a sting in the tail when Marvin Emnes departed in the 73rd minute with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; McMahon, Bates, R Williams, Bennett; Robson (Thomson 78), Bailey, Arca, Zemmama (Martin 33); McDonald, Emnes (Ogbeche 73).

Subs (not used): Hoyte, Haroun.

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Ankergren; Greer, Dunk, Jara, Taricco; Vincelot, Bridcutt; LuaLua, Sparrow (Buckley 63), Noone; Mackail-Smith.

Subs (not used): Brezovan (gk), El-Abd, Barnes, Paynter.