Manager Aitor Karanka has praised Middlesbrough's patience in their 2-0 victory over MK Dons.
Boro struggled to break down the newly-promoted side, but goals in the final 20 minutes from former England duo Stewart Downing and David Nugent secured the victory.
"We had to be patient," Karanka told the Middlesbrough's official website.
"I told them at half time it would be difficult because they were organised and we had to have passion and confidence.
"People could have been nervous with the way it was going and I told them to keep calm and play the way we could play and we could score goals."
The result leaves the Championship big-spenders third in the league.