Middlesbrough are probing around the Coventry area but there is no way through.

Bobby Thomas makes a big headed clearance from Riley McGree's cross from the left and it's greeted by huge cheers from the home support.

Jack Rudoni finds space on the left for Coventry who are going in search of a third that would almost certainly kill this game, but Adilson Malanda does well to make the block and get it clear.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

The goal is a killer, particularly the manner of it.

I just want to see us get that goal now because that completely changes the game, there's a few times we've got into good positions and the ball hasn't hit the first man and those are opportunities.

Coventry were at a point where I thought they were under pressure, the goal comes and that's just given them that confidence.

Coventry boast the best home record in the Championship with 36 points from 15 games so far this season and just the one defeat, which came against Ipswich on 29 December.

They've won 11 and drawn three of the other 14. And now they're two goals to the good.

That's the scale of the task facing Middlesbrough here.

Kim Hellberg makes his first changes of the night for Middlesbrough.

Alan Browne and Morgan Whittaker make way for Jeremy Sarmiento and David Strelec.

I was just about to say it could be a risky tactic for Coventry to sit back and soak up pressure and then they make it 2-0.

That's why Frank Lampard gets paid the mega bucks to be a football manager.

It's a long, long way back for Boro now you feel.

Steve Ogrizovic
Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

Image source, Shutterstock

That's a goal out of the 1980s scrapbook!

Goalkeeper straight down the middle, a big striker holds it up, knocks Luke Ayling off the ball and then fires it in, a great finish with his left foot again.

Carl Rushworth knows when to play short and then knows when to go long, Haji Wright wins the battle and gets there first.

Coventry aren't pressing as high up or as with as much energy as in the first half so far in this second period and Boro are just starting to get their foot on the ball in the opposing half.

Can Frank Lampard's side keep Kim Hellberg's side at bay?

Coventry skipper Matt Grimes is struggling with a knock and not moving freely. Not ideal for the Sky Blues who pressed high and very energetically in the first half.

One to keep an eye on.

Coventry winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto slips over and then clatters into Boro left-back Matt Targett on halfway.

The referee shows Sakamoto the booking. Slightly harsh maybe as he'd fallen over but certainly a foul.

Middlesbrough look to make inroads immediately.

Riley McGree does well to hook a cross in for Morgan Whittaker and he's unmarked in the area but can only head over the bar.

Great chance right at the start of the half.

We're back under way for a big second half in the Championship's automatic promotion race.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

Steve Froggatt
Former Coventry City midfielder on BBC Radio CWR

Frank Lampard will know the importance of this game.

We've looked very strong down our left-hand side, we've over run them but they've looked strong down their left side, so hopefully we keep it down our side.

The gaffer will be delighted with what he's seen, you have to win the right to play, win your tackles, win your headers, they've put in a fantastic performance so far, if they can replicate that in the second half they have a great chance of winning the game.

Image source, Shutterstock

Coventry are back on top of the Championship in the live table and two points clear with Middlesbrough dropping to second.

The gap to third for the Sky Blues is six points and it's five for Boro.

A big 45 coming up.

Image source, Opta

Frank Onyeka, Coventry's new loan signing from Brentford, has been all over the pitch in the first half and has impressed on debut for the Sky Blues.

The Nigeria international has had 26 touches so far but has also picked up a yellow card for a robust tackle on Aidan Morris.

The kind of grit Coventry may feel their midfield needed.

Neil Maddison
Former Middlesbrough midfielder on BBC Tees

I think they've tried to play but I have to give credit to Coventry, they've pressed, they've won it high, if balls are out wide they'll win them.

From a Boro point of view, it's just breaking that press with our passing if we can, we've had opportunities, can Whittaker do better with his header?

Coventry have had chances, we've had half chances but I'd say Coventry have been the better side in terms of pressing and winning the ball high up.

The next goal is vital.

Image source, Shutterstock

A high energy first half by Coventry and they have the one-goal advantage to show for it.

Haji Wright's clever first time finish from Jack Rudoni's cross is the difference and the Sky Blues are going back to the top of the Championship as things stand.

Jack Rudoni is back on his feet for Coventry and on we go.