Neil Warnock’s side were undone by a Nathan Collins header inside the opening 20-minutes of the match.
The result sees Boro stay 10th in the Championship table while Stoke move up to 5th.
Scroll down and click through the pages to see our Boro player ratings from the match...
. Marcus Bettinelli - 7
Will be disappointed with the opener but responded well with a series of good saves. Photo: Alex Pantling
. Djed Spence - 6
Showed decent attacking endeavour but was often let down with the ball at his feet. Solid defensively. Photo: Getty Images
. Paddy McNair - 6
Was comfortable in possession but lacked conviction defensively. Photo: Alex Pantling
. Dael Fry - 5
Had a rare shot on goal which led to a penalty appeal in an otherwise quiet afternoon for the defender. Booked for a rough challenge. Photo: PA
. Marc Bola - 5
Put in a dangerous ball late on but didn’t offer enough at either end over the 90-minutes. Photo: Clive Brunskill
5. Marc Bola - 5
Put in a dangerous ball late on but didn’t offer enough at either end over the 90-minutes. Photo: Clive Brunskill
6. Sam Morsy - 6
Put in a workmanlike performance in the middle of the park without being spectacular. An early foul ended Stoke skipper Sam Clucas’ afternoon. Photo: Alex Pantling
7. Jonny Howson - 6
Never stopped but couldn’t impact the game as Stoke saw out the win. Photo: Getty Images
8. George Saville - 5
Hit touch was loose over the game as he should have done better with a close range effort in the first half only to be denied by the post. Was beaten to the ball for Collins’ header. Booked. Photo: Getty Images