Gordon Strachan is still searching for his first home win at Boro after a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff.
Impressive Burke makes it three consecutive wins for Bluebirds
Gordon Strachan is still searching for his first home win as Middlesbrough boss after a Chris Burke goal was enough to win the game for Cardiff.
The Bluebirds had to wait until the 60th minute before they broke the deadlock as the lively Burke whipped in a dangerous cross from the left.
The ball evaded everyone, including Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones who watched motionless as the ball zipped past him.
Despite their effort and endeavour the home side rarely troubled David Marshall in the Cardiff goal until deep into the second half when a goalmouth scramble saw David Wheater hit the bar and Sean St Ledger and Leroy Lita both have attempts cleared off the line.
The win took the visitors to third in the Championship while Boro continue to languish in 11th, although they are still just three points off the play-offs.
The hosts started brightly and saw a number of shots blocked in a frenzied opening five minutes.
Fired wide
Dave Kitson also fired wide for Boro from 12 yards, while Cardiff striker Michael Chopra missed the target with a drilled effort from the edge of the area.
Clear-cut chances proved to be few and far between as the opening period wore on, with both teams largely restricted to hopeful efforts from outside the box.
Cardiff suffered a blow in the 32nd minute as Peter Whittingham limped off, with Kelvin Etuhu coming on in his place.
And Middlesbrough came close to taking the lead five minutes later as Mark Yeates' 25-yard free-kick was parried away by David Marshall at full stretch.
The visitors ended the first half on top, with Burke testing Brad Jones with a curling shot and Jay Bothroyd heading directly at the Australian goalkeeper from a corner.
Johnson fired narrowly over from 20 yards shortly after the interval as Middlesbrough looked to get back on the front foot.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones was then forced into his second change, with Matthews replacing the injured Kevin McNaughton.
Opening goal
Mark Hudson fired over from an Etuhu cross in the 56th minute and the Bluebirds took the lead five minutes later through Burke's inswinging free-kick.
Boro responded immediately and a goalmouth scramble saw Wheater head against the bar before Matthews scrambled away Lita's rebound.
The home side's hopes of getting back into the game were dented when Johnson limped off with 22 minutes remaining.
However, they wasted a fine opportunity to draw level in the 73rd minute when Leroy Lita prodded a shot inches wide with the outside of his right boot.
Cardiff were rarely troubled thereafter and almost added a second late on when the impressive Burke weaved his way into the right side of the box before narrowly failing to pick out Chopra at the far post.
