Hayden Hackney effortlessly goes through the gears as he weaves between three hooped shirts outside the Rangers box but his 20-yard effort at the end of it is snuffed out.

Boro are preparing some changes imminently.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Radio Tees

They were second best at half-time but they're still in the game.

While it's still 1-0 they still have an opportunity. They've caused us some problems in this second half, they've had some chances, that block from Ayling was a huge one.

Boro haven't really created anything in this second half, there will be a lot of nervous Boro fans at the moment.

It's still wide open this game.

Credit to QPR. This game is absolutely 100mph at the moment.

Amadou Mbengue almost bulldozes his way from the centre-circle into the box before a Boro toe cuts-out a low cross into the mixer.

Furious pace to the game, and it will not be sustainable. Mistakes will surely creep in.

22 October was the last time Boro kept a clean sheet on the road - that was at Sheffield Wednesday, 12 games ago.

End that run today and they are five points behind Coventry.

But QPR have shown they won't make it easy for them.

End-to-end now.

Matt Targett's eyes light up as he is found beyond the far post with a ball in the air but though his technique is great, his stooping volley flies wide of the near post - that would have been three goals in six days, unthinkably.

R's again go straight down the other end and Harvey Vale cuts in from the right and drives towards the box before lashing a powerful effort high and wide of Sol Brynn's far post.

Phew. Breathless stuff.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Radio Tees

That was a big moment.

What a ball from Morris, he drives with the ball and it's a neat pass into Strelec. Morris has started this second half really well.

Boro will be desperate for that second goal.

Aidan Morris drives onto a loose ball and reaches the edge of the box.

Everyone thinks he'll switch it left but instead he smuggles a reverse pass through to David Strelec whose shot is saved by Joe Walsh down to his right.

Great vision from Morris.

QPR spring down the other end from Amadou Mbengue but his low ball into the box won't fall for Richard Kone who sees his sliding effort charged down.

It's been half an hour of play since Rangers last had a crack at Sol Brynn's goal, and they are showing few signs of ending that run any time soon.

Hard to do it from your own half when you haven't got the ball...

Luke Ayling's attempt to thread Alan Browne in down the right of the box is turned behind and another training ground corner routine produces another corner, which is boomed clear by the head of Jonathan Varane, who has been everywhere so far today.

Koki Saito hacks down Morgan Whittaker just outside the box, diving in a fraction of a second late, and it's a dangerous free-kick for Boro, but Jimmy Dunne glances it away and the Riley McGree's ball back into the middle squirts behind off a red shirt for a goal kick.

Little bit frenetic in the Boro box as QPR start the half on the front foot, and they have a corner to show for it.

Matt Targett hits the deck under pressure from Amadou Mbengue at the back stick and Josh Smith blows for a foul to relieve the pressure.

We're off and running... Julien Stephan doesn't strike me as a teacup thrower, but will his wise words change things for the R's?

Let's find out...

When you put it like that, Simon...

Image source, Opta

This is what it means... even if Ipswich win their game in hand against Portsmouth, Boro would have a two-point cushion in the race for automatic promotion.

Going to be a run-in for the ages, this!

Image source, Getty Images

This is the only Championship game of the day, but these are not the only EFL teams in action today.

We have had great drama in the FA Cup fifth round with Southampton edging to victory at Premier League Fulham and Port Vale, bottom of League One, seeing off Premier League Sunderland 1-0 to book their first trip to the FA Cup quarter-final since 1954.

Image source, Opta/PA Media

Pretty much sums it up. Middlesbrough have been in a different class.

I reckon our dear friends at Opta have credited Boro with two shots on target for the move which led to the goal, while Richard Kone and Isaac Hayden did test Sol Brynn at the other end.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Radio Tees

We're in control no doubt about it, but I'd like to see us create a few more chances.

Their manager will be saying it's only 1-0, and they think they'll have an opportunity here. If they get one opportunity, they have the chance to get back into the game.

The goal itself comes from quick play, we need a lot more of that. We are in control, but it's only 1-0.

I certainly think there's more goals in this game.

Image source, PA Media

Boro have dominated pretty much every facet of the game, but they only have a one-goal lead to show for it, secured by their only shot on target.

Morgan Whittaker should have tucked home Riley McGree's cut-back from the left on 20 minutes but scuffed his initial shot before his follow-up from the rebound squirmed over the line via the hip (or, yes, maybe a hint of elbow) of teammate David Strelec on the line.

Dael Fry limped off so it wasn't a perfect half, but QPR have a lot of work to do to get back into this one, their only half chance came from a header from Isaac Hayden which was routine for Sol Brynn to clutch.

Into TWO added minutes at the end of the half and Luke Ayling comes close to a second with a clever glancing header, racing to the near post to meet a corner.

One off the training ground, that.