Grant Leadbitter kept up his perfect penalty record this season as Middlesbrough snatched a 1-0 win at promotion rivals Brentford.

The Boro skipper made it eight from eight from the spot a minute before half-time to fire Aitor Karanka's in-form side back to within a point of leaders Bournemouth.

They were made to work far harder for the three points than they had when dishing out a 4-0 thrashing on Teesside in September.

Bees defender Harlee Dean's error proved costly when he allowed Ben Gibson's long ball sail over him, blissfully unaware that Patrick Bamford had run in behind and David Button charged out of his goal to bring down the on-loan Chelsea midfielder.

Button escaped with a booking but spot-kick expert Leadbitter punished the home keeper further by sending him the wrong way for his 12th goal of the season.