Andrew Taylor scored a late consolation goal for Boro, but the damage had already been done after a woeful showing from the Teesiders.
Boro boss Tony Mowbray held up his hands and conceded: "It was a free shot at three points for them.
"They were always going to come at us strong at the start, but we weren't ready for it and that's the frustrating thing for me.
"It's an easy story to write - the team that wanted it more - but I'd like to think that's not the case.
"Two goals in as many minutes knocks the stuffing out of any team. That gave us a mountain to climb and it proved too much. The evidence was out there on the pitch."
Source: PA
Source: PA