Hackney scores stunner in Boro romp
Middlesbrough returned to within five points of the Championship summit as Hayden Hackney scored the pick of the goals in a 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
Having watched leaders Coventry City pull further clear at the top a day earlier, Kim Hellberg's side responded with a comfortable victory at Loftus Road.
Richard Kone forced visiting goalkeeper Sol Brynn into a third-minute stop at his near post, but from there, Middlesbrough was able to control proceedings with ease.
It's dominance was rewarded in the 20th minute through David Strelec, who diverted Morgan Whittaker's goal-bound shot into the net after a scramble in the penalty area.
Though Middlesbrough were unable to add to their tally before the break, two goals in the space of four second-half minutes put the game beyond QPR by the 72nd minute.
Luke Ayling saw his volley strike the crossbar, but the rebound fell kindly to Alan Browne to nod in at the back post, though Middlesbrough were not done there.
After collecting the ball from Tommy Conway, Hackney took a touch before bending a delicious effort into the right corner, which kissed the post on its way past Joe Walsh.
Conway got himself on the scoresheet in the 88th minute from the penalty spot, coolly dispatching after he was fouled by Tylon Smith.
