EMMANUEL Ledesma’s goal knocked Burnley off the top of the Championship table as Middlesbrough claimed victory at the Riverside Stadium.

Ledesma’s long-range effort put the home side ahead in the 24th minute and proved to be the only goal of the game.

Leicester leapfrogged the Clarets at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Reading. QPR can move into first place if they win at Nottingham Forest tonight.

Ledesma had seen two shots narrowly miss the target in the opening stages at the Riverside Stadium before the Argentinian did find the net.

Danny Ings was denied an equaliser four minutes before half time at when his header was kept out by a fine save from Shay Given.

Given saved from Ings again early in the second half before Sam Vokes fired wide from 25 yards.

Ledesma curled a shot just wide for Middlesbrough as he sought a second goal, before Dean Marney headed over from five yards for the Clarets.

Substitute Junior Stanislas also came close to a leveller, but Given made a superb save to keep out his effort.

Fellow substitute Keith Treacy then curled a shot wide, before Tom Heaton had to tip over Albert Adomah’s effort as Middlesbrough sought a second goal in injury time.

Burnley: Tom Heaton, Kieran Trippier, Michael Duff, Jason Shackell, Danny Lafferty, Scott Arfield (Keith Treacy 74), Dean Marney, David Jones, Michael Kightly (Junior Stanislas 56), Danny Ings, Sam Vokes. Subs not used: Nick Liversedge, Kevin Long, David Edgar, Brian Stock, Steven Hewitt.

Middlesbrough: Shay Given, Dean Whitehead, Daniel Ayala (Ben Gibson 85), Jonathan Woodgate, George Friend, Jozsef Varga, Richard Smallwood, Emmanuel Ledesma, Albert Adomah, Marvin Emnes (Grant Leadbitter 58), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Curtis Main 70). Subs not used: Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Rhys Williams, Jacob Butterfield, Luke Williams.

Attendance: 20,689 (Clarets 1,387).