Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle LIVE: Championship result, final score and reaction

Follow live coverage as Middlesbrough face Plymouth Argyle in the Championship today.

An increasingly competitive second tier in English football remains an intense and exciting competition, with the prize of a place in the Premier League on offer at the end of the season.

Relegation from the top flight last term means Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all back in the second tier this term and will be expected to push for play-off spots again at least, but so too will Norwich City, an improving Coventry and beaten play-off finalists Leeds United. At the other end of the table, Wayne Rooney is aiming to revive Plymouth’s fortunes after they narrowly avoided relegation last year, with Portsmouth and Derby the teams promoted from League One along with play-off final winners Oxford.

Follow live updates from today’s game in the live blog below.

Middlesbrough FC 2 - 1 Plymouth Argyle FC

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

17:01

Match ends, Middlesbrough 2, Plymouth Argyle 1.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

17:01

Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 2, Plymouth Argyle 1.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

17:01

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

17:00

Foul by Malachi Boateng (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:58

Attempt missed. Callum Wright (Plymouth Argyle) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Kornél Szucs.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:57

Attempt missed. Victor Pálsson (Plymouth Argyle) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Callum Wright with a cross.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:53

Goal! Middlesbrough 2, Plymouth Argyle 1. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:52

Joe Edwards (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the red card.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:51

Penalty Middlesbrough. Tommy Conway draws a foul in the penalty area.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:51

Fourth official has announced 7 minutes of added time.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:50

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:49

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Ryan Giles replaces Samuel Iling-Junior.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:49

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Delano Burgzorg replaces Morgan Whittaker because of an injury.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:49

Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Michael Obafemi replaces Ryan Hardie.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:49

Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Malachi Boateng replaces Jordan Houghton.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:49

Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Tymoteusz Puchacz replaces Julio Pleguezuelo because of an injury.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:47

Delay in match because of an injury Julio Pleguezuelo (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:47

Foul by Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:47

Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:45

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Kornél Szucs.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Attempt saved. Muhamed Tijani (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ryan Hardie.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Delay in match because of an injury Julio Pleguezuelo (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Attempt saved. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Finn Azaz.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samuel Iling-Junior.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Muhamed Tijani replaces Mustapha Bundu because of an injury.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Delay in match because of an injury Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Attempt missed. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Morgan Whittaker with a cross.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Foul by Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:44

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Conor Hazard.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:42

Attempt saved. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Finn Azaz.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:40

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:39

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Kelechi Iheanacho replaces Marcus Forss.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:38

Substitution, Plymouth Argyle. Callum Wright replaces Darko Gyabi because of an injury.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:31

Delay in match because of an injury Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:30

Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:31

Attempt blocked. Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:30

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Victor Pálsson.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:30

Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samuel Iling-Junior.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:30

Foul by Jonny Howson (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:26

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:26

Offside, Middlesbrough. Dael Fry is caught offside.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:25

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Julio Pleguezuelo.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:22

Substitution, Middlesbrough. Dael Fry replaces Anfernee Dijksteel.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:22

Attempt blocked. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Mustapha Bundu.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:19

Foul by Rav van den Berg (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:18

Attempt missed. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the centre of the box.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:18

Attempt missed. Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Morgan Whittaker following a corner.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:16

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Mustapha Bundu.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:18

Attempt blocked. Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:15

Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:16

Attempt saved. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Marcus Forss.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:13

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:13

Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:11

Delay in match because of an injury Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:11

Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:10

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Kornél Szucs.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:10

Joe Edwards (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:07

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Joe Edwards.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

16:05

Second Half begins Middlesbrough 1, Plymouth Argyle 1.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:50

First Half ends, Middlesbrough 1, Plymouth Argyle 1.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:50

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Victor Pálsson.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:50

Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:50

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Bali Mumba.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:47

Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:50

Julio Pleguezuelo (Plymouth Argyle) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:49

Foul by Julio Pleguezuelo (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:47

Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:47

Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:45

Foul by Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:44

Attempt blocked. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Victor Pálsson with a headed pass.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:43

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:39

Delay in match (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:38

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:38

Delay in match (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:38

Attempt blocked. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mustapha Bundu.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:38

Attempt saved. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Victor Pálsson.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:34

Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:33

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:31

Delay in match because of an injury Jordan Houghton (Plymouth Argyle).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:31

Attempt missed. Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:31

Attempt blocked. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Randell.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:30

Foul by Samuel Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough).

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:30

Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:28

Attempt saved. Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:26

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Victor Pálsson.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:26

Attempt blocked. Marcus Forss (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tommy Conway.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:25

Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:26

Attempt saved. Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Adam Randell.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:25

Attempt saved. Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:24

Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Kornél Szucs.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:22

Attempt missed. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the left side of the box.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:19

Goal! Middlesbrough 1, Plymouth Argyle 1. Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:16

Attempt saved. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marcus Forss with a cross.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:14

Goal! Middlesbrough 1, Plymouth Argyle 0. Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:14

Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) hits the woodwork with a right footed shot from the right side of the box.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:11

Attempt missed. Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.

Middlesbrough vs Plymouth Argyle

15:11

Attempt blocked. Darko Gyabi (Plymouth Argyle) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website