Their 1-1 draw at strugglers Watford leaves Gordon Strachan's side eight points from the play-off positions and relying on other sides to slip up if they are to stage a late charge.
This afternoon's game typified Boro of late and their lack of quality was further evidence of a side ill-equipped to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
Leroy Lita's second half goal offered hope they would secure all three points but a draw was a fair result.
John Eustace may have made little impression in his one game loan spell at Boro seven years ago but he showed great composure to crash home from the edge of the area from David Wheater's headed clearance.
Boro were awful in the first half. Strachan had started the game with Chris Killen and Lee Miller in attack but the pair lacked the mobility to put any pressure on the Hornet's back four.
Shortly after the restart Miller was replaced by Lita who made an immediate impact. Within a minute of his introduction Boro had their best chance of the game thus far when he crashed a shot against the side netting. But a couple of minutes later he put Boro level, finishing a move he'd started to nod home a close range header.
The visitors began to play with a verve and purpose that exposed the lack of confidence in the Watford ranks.
Lita almost notched a second, twisting on the edge of the box to send in a low strike that was turned wide by keeper Scott Loach. But was too little too late for Strachan's men.
Middlesbrough(4-4-2): Jones;Hoyte,McManus,Wheater,Taylor;Robson,O'Neil,R Williams,Arca (Franks 82); Miller (Lita 50), Killen. Subs (not used)Coyne(gk),Grounds,Riggott,Naughton,O'Shea,
Watford (4-4-2)Loach;Doyley,Demerit,Taylor,Mariappa;Cleverley,Cowie, Eustace,Lansbury;Buckley (Graham 81),Helguson. Subs (not used)Lee(gk),Harley,McGinn,Hoskins,Hodgson,Noble.
Attendance 14,038 (Boro 1,132)
Referee Roger East(Aylesbury)
Goals: Eustace 21, Lita 55
Booked: McManus 18,Killen 42,Wheater 57, O'Neil 74
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo