Marvin Emnes scored the only goal of the game as Middlesbrough recorded their third straight Championship away win with victory at Brighton & Hove Albion.

© PA Photos

The Dutchman struck low past Tomas Kuszczak after 20 minutes to find a way through the division's tightest defence.

It was one of just two on-target efforts from Boro all match as Brighton dominated large spells of the action.

Scotland international striker Craig Mackail-Smith came close to finding an equaliser, but was denied by Boro's England Under-21 stopper Jason Steele.

That was one of just a few occasions where Steele was called upon as Brighton were wasteful in front of goal.

Mackail-Smith was guilty of dragging a shot from a good position wide while Dean Hammond missed an even better headed opportunity just before the break.

Despite all of their possession, the Seagulls created few clear-cut chances in their search for a second-half equaliser, and when they did, Steele was on hand to save from Stephen Dobbie and Ashley Barnes.

Kazenga Lua Lua could have salvaged Brighton a point late on but his curling effort went narrowly over the crossbar.