The key changes which were made by Middlesbrough and Neil Warnock during crucial Millwall win

Sunday’s defeat by QPR felt like a damaging loss in what has been an underwhelming season for the Teessiders, yet this was a complete contrast to the weekend. A performance filled with endeavour and grit.

Warnock knew how tough it would be at The Den, even without any fans, and this was certainly a bruising encounter against a physical Lions side.

Yet Boro stood up and were counted from the first minute to the last, claiming a huge three points to lift them out of the bottom three, courtesy of a Britt Assombalonga finish and Ashley Fletcher penalty in a 2-0 win.

Something had to change following the abject QPR display, and Warnock’s response was to alter his side’s formation.

Boro enjoyed a spell of success when operating with a back three and wing-backs earlier in the season. Warnock will have studied those games before this trip.

The return of Djed Spence was certainly a big boost, allowing Boro to change their shape and match Millwall up in South East London.

Spence was a constant threat in the first half, tormenting fellow wing-back Murray Wallace who was fortunate not to concede a penalty.

Their battle got a little heated before the break when the Millwall defender appeared to elbow Spence in the face on the stroke of half-time.

Spence returned for the second half with a bandage on his nose, yet Boro were up for the fight.

The Teessiders’ success stemmed from their robust three-man backline, consisting of Ryan Shotton, Dael Fry and George Friend, which admirably dealt with towering frontman Matt Smith throughout.

Shotton’s performance was particularly impressive given this was the defender’s first start since Boro’s chastening 3-0 defeat by Swansea.

The 31-year-old repeatedly positioned himself well to cut out crosses and make crucial blocks, while he was also required to take long throw-ins from the right – a tactic not seen since Tony Pulis’ time in charge.

In front of the back four Jonny Howson also impressed, sweeping up danger and moving the ball forward for Boro to attack.

The visitors could easily have been discouraged after a couple of first-half decisions went against them, yet Warnock’s side returned for the second half seemingly more determined.

There was a sticky spell at the start of the second half when Boro keeper Dejan Stojanovic had to make an instinctive save to repel a towering header from Smith, yet Boro weathered the storm.

And as space opened up, the visitors took their chances, opening the scoring after a swift break from Fletcher who teed up Assombalonga for the opener.

Fletcher’s clever movement then helped kill the game off in the closing stages, when another run behind the Millwall defence drew a desperate challenge from defender Jake Cooper.

How the Millwall centre-back only received a yellow card rather than a red was unclear, yet Fletcher calmly converted his penalty with aplomb.

The best possible response when Boro needed it most.