Substitutes Danny Ward and Alan Lee spelled double trouble for Middlesbrough as they earned Huddersfield Town a crucial win.

Scott McDonald’s 79th minute strike looked set to condemn Mark Robins’ side to a harsh defeat, but new dad Lee , still on a high after birth of daughter Eva, levelled with four minutes remaining.

Skipper Peter Clarke flicked on a corner for Lee to net, before Ward smashed home a spectacular injury time winner.

Most fans will have struggled to see the late goal flurry as the fog descended on the John Smiths’ Stadium, but it is crystal clear the win was a massive boost in Town’s fight for Championship survival.

Town were without eight-goal top scorer James Vaughan, beginning a two-match ban, and wideman Sean Scannell, like full-back Calum Woods, ruled out by a hamstring niggle.

Lee Novak started as the frontman in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jack Hunt retaining the right-back berth and Oliver Norwood coming in to partner Oscar Gobern as a deep-lying midfielder.

Winger Ward, finally back after a broken metatarsal which had kept him out since December, was on the bench for a match watched by representatives from nine Premier League clubs, including Chelsea.

Middlesbrough, aiming to bolster their play-off hopes by building on Saturday's 2-1 home win over leaders Cardiff, rested former England star Kieron Dyer but included on-loan Newcastle midfielder Sammy Ameobi.

Town made a lively start, creating a decent chance with just 30 seconds gone, but striker Novak shot wide from Theo Robinson’s lay back.

Robinson then pushed forward with the ball breaking to Oliver Norwood and his low drive was off then mark.

Former Town loan signing Scott McDonald, tried his luck from distance, but Town keeper Alex Smithies – celebrating his 23rd birthday – had the effort covered.

But Mark Robins’ men were soon back on the attack as Neil Danns drilled the ball. but the shot was deflected wide.

Town were defending solidly when the need arose with two corners in quick succession rebuffed, and referee Stuart Attwell waved away a penalty claim when Richard Smallwood went down under Town skipper Peter Clarke’s challenge.

Town continued to push forward in the second half, but hard-working skipper Clarke reacted well to stop McDonald, while George Friend fired over as the visitors countered again.

Town defender Anthony Gerrard, who overcame an Achilles injury to play, made a timely tackle on Ishmael Miller before limping off to be replaced by Murray Wallace.

Huddersfield Town boss Robins hails late late show against Middlesbrough: Click to read