It was two points dropped for Middlesbrough as they played out a 2-2 draw with Hull City.

Goals from Marcus Tavernier and Ashley Fletcher set the Teessiders on their way, before an awful challenge from Marvin Johnson reduced the home side to 10 men in the first half.

The Tigers worked their way back into the game, and salvaged a point as Jarrod Bowen scored a second half brace to undo all of Middlesbrough's hard work.

That draw made it 10 games without a win for Jonathan Woodgate's side who managed to squeeze out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Here are three things we learned against Hull City.

Jonny Howson is worth his weight in gold

The biggest surprise on the Middlesbrough teamsheet was the decision to play Howson in central defence.

In a long and successful playing career, Howson had never played in the heart of defence before but you certainly wouldn't have guessed it based on that display.

Howson looked more than comfortable alongside Dani Ayala and Dael Fry at the back as he used his experience and intelligence to keep the Tigers at bay.

Of course the focus in weeks to come should be on putting in the midfielder back into the position that he knows best, but it's a massive boost for Jonathan Woodgate having such a versatile player in his ranks.

The need for experience

Middlesbrough enjoyed a successful first half as a free-flowing attack put Grant McCann's side on the back foot.

Unfortunately, as soon as Marvin Johnson was sent off the Teessiders looked visibly shaken.

The second half was a completely different tale as Hull City asserted themselves on the home side and Middlesbrough looked to hang on by their finger nails.

It's at times like that when a team needs leaders, and unfortunately for Middlesbrough they are few and far between at the moment.

The absence of George Friend was a huge blow, and Jonathan Woodgate will be hoping that his injury setback won't see him out of action for too long.

Can you name every Middlesbrough player of the year from the last 15 seasons? Have a go!

 

Britt Assombalonga makes Middlesbrough tick

Excluding the second half collapse, it was an excellent display from Middlesbrough's attackers.

Fresh from his brace against Queens Park Rangers, Britt Assombalonga came into the game brimming with confidence - and it showed.

As well as looking more energetic himself, an in-form Assombalonga made Ashley Fletcher and Marcus Tavernier tick as they used their pace and trickery to cause all kinds of problems in the final third.

Confidence is such a key thing for a striker, and what we've seen with Middlesbrough's star man is that when he's up, he's almost unplayable at Championship level.