Second-half strikes from Adam Reach and Bradley Fewster were enough to give Middlesborough a 2-0 win over Hartlepool United at Victoria Park this evening.

Middlesbrough started brightly and could have been ahead inside the opening two minutes, but Kike smashed his shot against the post after collecting Albert Adomah's pass.

The home side's first effort on goal didn't come until midway through the first half, when Jack Compton cut inside and flashed an effort over the bar.

Reach put his side ahead when he climbed highest to head home Kike's cross on 51 minutes.

Middlesbrough's second came with 20 minutes remaining through substitute Fewster, who doubled his side's lead and secured the win within three minutes of replacing the lively Kike.