A brace from Dwight Gayle was not enough to give Peterborough United any points from the fixture with Middlesbrough as the visitors claimed a 3-2 victory against a spirited Darren Ferguson side at London Road. 

Middlesbrough opened the scoring on seven minutes as Faris HAROUN raced clear to convert past goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik after an intelligent pass from Scott MacDonald. The goal came from a Posh corner that was well cleared by Jonathan Woodgate. 

George Thorne saw a left-foot shot deflected behind for a corner kick after an intelligent pass from George Boyd. It was 2-0 to the visitors on 18 minutes as a deep cross to the back post was converted by HAROUN from six-yards. 

Thorne volleyed over the top from the edge of the area from a half-cleared corner kick as Posh tried to get a foothold in the fixture. Thorne then saw a long-range effort comfortably saved by Steele. 

Rowe saw a shot deflected behind after a clever leave from Tomlin following a clipped pass from Knight-Percival. Tomlin then fired over after good hold-up play from Thorne as Posh continued to create opportunities in front of goal. 

Posh reduced the arrears on 36 minutes and it was a stunning goal from Dwight GAYLE, who turned his man and unleashed a powerful shot past the despairing dive of goalkeeper Steele. 

Thorne sent a rasping drive inches past the upright on the stroke of half-time as Posh ended the first period on top. 

Posh got themselves on level terms on 51 minutes as a corner from Tomlin was nodded down by Bostwick and GAYLE was there to turn and squeeze the ball into the back of the net. 

Gayle headed a Little cross over the top on 70 minutes after a good pass from Boyd picked out the full-back. 

On 76 minutes, the visitors got their noses in front as substitute Ishmael MILLER let fly from distance and the effort somehow beat goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik, who got a hand to the strike, but couldn't keep it out. 

Kane Ferdinand replaced Tommy Rowe moments later as Darren Ferguson tried to get back in the game. 

Final Score: Posh 2-3 Middlesbrough

Posh: Olejnik, Zakuani, Bostwick, Tomlin, Boyd, Rowe (sub Ferdinand 78min), Newell, Little, Knight-Percival (sub Swanson 89min), Thorne, Gayle. Unused subs - Day (GK), Alcock, Brisley, Swanson, McCann, Kearns. 

Middlesbrough: Steele, Bikey, Leadbitter, Emnes (sub Miller 73min), Ledesma, McEachran (sub Thomson 78min), Halliday, Parnaby, McDonald, Haroun (sub Smallwood 69min), Woodgate: Unused subs - Leutwiler (GK), Bailey, Hines, Jutkiewicz. 

Attendance: 6,612 (1,725 Middlesbrough fans)