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Substitute Danny Ward scored in stoppage time as Huddersfield came from behind to ease their relegation worries with victory over Middlesbrough.

Scott McDonald's drilled finish 12 minutes from time looked to have given the play-off chasing visitors the chance to take the three points.

But Alan Lee scrambled home following a corner and Ward's 25-yard strike secured the win for Huddersfield.

The Terriers climb up to 16th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Middlesbrough drop out of the Championship play-off places and are now eighth, with only two wins in 2013.

Huddersfield also went into the game looking to record only their third league win of the year but were quickly on the front foot as Lee Novak shot narrowly wide.

Their best chance of the first half came just before the break as Oliver Norwood headed agonisingly wide from Paul Dixon's cross.

Middlesbrough had been restricted to tame long shots in the first half but an Anthony Gerrard error almost presented them with an opening, McDonald seeing his shot blocked by Jack Hunt.

However the visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 78th minute as McDonald's left-foot effort beat goalkeeper Alex Smithies.

Huddersfield boss Mark Robins introduced Lee soon after and the veteran striker equalised with four minutes remaining, stabbing in from close range.

Ward then completed a dramatic fightback when his superb long-range strike, deep in injury time, sealed victory.

Huddersfield Town boss Mark Robins: "We'd have been disappointed if we hadn't got something from the game, but even if we hadn't, I was happy with the manner of the performance.

"We played some good football on a cabbage patch. It makes you wonder how well they could play on a proper pitch.

"It was definitely our best performance since I arrived."

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray: "We have to improve drastically. The players need to do their jobs. We are being naive and it's happening too often.

"Whatever league you play in, whether it's the Conference or the Champions League, if you can't defend set-pieces you are not going to win matches.

"I wouldn't have been happy with a point but to lose the game is unbelievable.

"We have to analyse it and work out how we put it right."