Read Aitor Karanka's post-match interview HERE
Ten-man Boro climbed to the top of the Championship last night after a spirited 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
Aitor Karanka's men travelled to bogey ground St Andrew's, a ground they had only won at once in their last 14 visits, looking for a sixth straight league win.
But a tough test became even harder when Dimi Konstantopoulos was shown a red card just before the break, bringing down Blues striker Clayton Donaldson.
Paul Caddis converted the spot-kick past substitute keeper Tomas Mejias, and Boro had a mountain to climb in the second half.
But the Teessiders dominated, despite their numerical disadvantage, and Patrick Bamford finished off a wonderful team move to draw Boro level - a result that sees them climb above Derby and Bournemouth into top spot.
So what did we learn about Boro last night? Boro writer Jonathon Taylor has his say:
1) It wasn't clear the second half which side had 10 men
Boro may have missed the chance to go three points clear at the Championship summit, but their performance - particularly in the second half - will give them plenty of confidence.
Despite being a man down, Boro dominated the second half and fully deserved a share of the spoils.
A few fans could have been heard murmuring 'typical Boro' when Dimi saw red, and it was always going to be an uphill task on a ground they never enjoy playing at.
But what those nine outfield players produced in the second half was majestic.
The greatest compliment you could pay Karanka's men would be that it was never clear which team had the numerical advantage.
So it was two points dropped, maybe, but Boro are top of the pile and victory over Leeds on Saturday lunchtime would make it four points - before a ball is kicked.
And with Bournemouth travelling to Brentford, and Derby hosting local rivals Sheffield Wednesday, there's nothing to suggest that those results are a formality.
In a different season, Boro would have limped to a defeat in the Midlands.
But under Karanka, this side are made of sterner stuff. Now it's time to dust themselves down and beat Leeds United.
2) Bamford will be buoyant when Leeds arrive
Patrick Bamford said following the Arsenal match that he wants to be Boro's central striker.
The England Under-21s star has found himself out on the right wing in recent weeks, playing in an unfamiliar role against Man City, Brentford, Charlton and Arsenal.Bamford wants to play centrally, it's his best position.
But he is always prepared to do a shift for the team on the right.
It's a compliment that Karanka feels he can trust the Chelsea loanee enough to play him there.
Well, yesterday Bamford was given his chance to impress up front, fielded alongside Jelle Vossen - with Lee Tomlin being asked to play from the left wing.
And how Bamford repaid Karanka, selflessly performing the lone striker role following Dimi's dismissal on an evening when the world looked like it would be against Boro.
Bamford took his goal superbly and earned Boro a point.
You could see how much it meant to the striker too.
I spoke to Bamford after the Arsenal match and he was downbeat, admitting that Boro had let themselves down at the Emirates.
I suspect he'll be buoyant going into the Leeds match - he has now scored four goals in his last six matches.
3) The belief is there we can hold our own in the Premier
There's plenty of twists and turns left in this Championship season.
On paper, who would have thought Derby would be held to a draw with Rotherham?
Who would've thought Dimi would be sent off at Birmingham?
Who'd have thought Brentford would implode?
There's three months left and it's going to be a rollercoaster ride to the finish.
Boro have showed that they can compete with any side in this division - and along with Derby and Bournemouth, it's going to be a slog to the finish.
Action Images / Lee Smith 
Derby manager Steve McClaren at Rotherham
Aitor Karanka's men have the benefit of playing first this weekend, a tasty home match with Leeds United.
And a home win there would heap the pressure on both the Rams and the Cherries.
There's going to be plenty more jostling and swapping of positions - but isn't it great that Boro are finally in among the table-topping drama?
Karanka has transformed this side, and it's a team full of confidence, character and belief.
The belief is there that Boro can return to football's top table and hold their own in the Premier League.
The point at Birmingham may have only been a small step, in terms of returning to the summit, but the commitment and character that Boro showed constitutes a gigantic leap to where they have been previously.
Hold on tight - and enjoy the ride.
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