Middlsbrough promoted after draw with 10-man Brighton

Middlesbrough clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League with a 1-1 draw with Brighton at the Riverside.

Boro just needed to avoid defeat to be sure of going straight up, and their first-half goal from Cristhian Stuani set them on their way.

Brighton will now compete in the play-offs to see if they can be one of the rare third-place finishers to end up victorious at Wembley.

Dale Stephens equalised just before the hour, and minutes later was sent off for opening up Ramirez’s leg. The delay in taking him off the pitch resulted in eight minutes of added time.

Middlesbrough hung on with over half an hour remaining, and secured automatic promotion that sees them return to the top flight for the first time since their relegation in 2009.

The Riverside erupted in scenes of utter joy, with a mass pitch invasion seeing fans demonstrate their delight by running around on the turf and letting off flares.

What was Stephens thinking? On 55 minutes he had given his side hope with an excellent header, and three minutes later he seriously injured Ramirez, and also reduced his side to 10 men. There can be no excuse for such doubly reckless behaviour, and he should expect a ban that stretches past the play-off games..

Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough): He demonstrated why he is best suited to the Premier League, with an awareness and quality unmatched by his teammates. Though the rest of them clearly contributed, without him they would have not kept Brighton on the back foot for so long. Middlesbrough should try to make his move permanent over the summer, and hope the tackle did no serious damage.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos 6, Nsue 6, Ayala 6, Gibson 6, Friend 6, Clayton 5, Leadbitter 5, Stuani 6, Ramirez 7, Adomah 6, Nugent 7. Subs: Downing 6, Rhodes 6.

Brighton: Stockdale 6, Bruno 6, Goldson 6, Greer 6, Rosenior 6, Knockaert 6, Stephens 5, Kayal 5, Murphy 4, Baldock 4, Hemed 5. Subs: Sidwell 6, LuaLua 6, Wilson 6.

14' - STEPHENS SHOT - Stephens shot is deflected, and it flies just wide of the top corner. Corner for Brighton, headed away.

19’ - GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-0 Brighton. Stuani scores - A free kick is knocked in from the right by Ramirez, it's dinked into the middle by Nugent, and Stuani taps it into an empty net.

26’ - STUANI SHOT - Adomah gets behind the defence on the left, lifts a ball to the back post to Stuani, and his well struck volley is forced over the bar.

33’’ - RAMIREZ SHOT - Ramirez gets behind Goldson as he chases a ball back to the keeper. Ramirez lifts the ball over the keeper and it drops just over the bar and onto the net.

55’ - GOAL! Middlesbrough 1-1 Brighton. Stephens scores - Swung into the backpost by Knockaert, and Stephens loops a brilliantly accurate header over the 'keeper and into the goal.

58’ - RED CARD! Stephens is rightly sent off for an ugly challenge on Ramirez, going straight into him, studs up, and drawing blood.

Stewart Downing is the only member of the squad that went down in 2009 to come back up with Middlesbrough.