Middlesbrough missed the chance to return to the Championship's automatic promotion places as they fought back to draw a game of three penalties at Swansea City.

Boro took an early lead thanks to Alex Bangura's emphatic finish but the goalscorer then gave away the first of two Swansea spot-kicks which were converted by Zan Vipotnik.

Championship top scorer Vipotnik's second penalty of a chaotic contest gave Swansea a 2-1 lead just before the break after goalkeeper Sol Brynn fouled Eom Jisung.

But Middlesbrough deservedly took something from the game thanks to Tommy Conway, who rattled home from the spot 15 minutes from time after Eom was penalised for a challenge on Callum Brittain.

The draw means Boro's winless run now stands at five matches, with Kim Hellberg's side third in the table with five games remaining this season.

They trail second-placed Ipswich on goal difference, though the Tractor Boys have two games in hand.

Swansea, who are without a win in four matches, climb to 15th after their second entertaining draw of the Easter weekend.

Middlesbrough head coach Hellberg might easily have been in the home dugout in this fixture, having been Swansea's top target to take the reins following the departure of Alan Sheehan in November.

Hellberg, who had also been on the Swans' radar last spring, opted instead to take over at Boro and has since maintained a promotion bid started by former boss Rob Edwards.

However, Boro's run of only two victories in nine games means it is Ipswich who have the upper hand in the race for the top two.

Not for the first time in recent games, Hellberg will feel his side did enough to triumph here, having led after Bangura exchanged passes with Conway and drove the ball high into the net.

David Strelec wasted the chance to double the advantage before Swansea, who had been well short of their best early on, found an equaliser following Bangura's rash challenge on Liam Cullen.

Vipotnik slashed a volley over the bar before Goncalo Franco's precise ball over the top led to the second penalty, as Brynn came out of his goal and Eom tumbled to the ground.

Slovenia striker Vipotnik ambled up once more before sending Brynn the wrong way for a second time to register his 22nd Swansea goal of the season.

Middlesbrough were denied when Aidan Morris drew a stunning save from Vigouroux, but levelled through Conway's ninth goal of the season after Eom tangled with Brittain and referee Matthew Donohue saw enough to point to the spot.

There were further chances at both ends, with Brynn's smart stop denying Cullen a late Swansea winner and substitutes Sontje Hansen and Kaly Sene both going close for Boro.

Swansea head coach Vitor Matos:

"We needed to control the game without the ball, getting compact, getting the right timings, the right positions, the right organisation.

"We knew Middlesbrough is a really good team with the ball, with a lot of individual technique in all positions, which can hurt you.

"With two games [over Easter] and all the internationals arriving last Thursday, you need first to be organised and compact and then you can put pressure and be effective.

"That's what we tried and then when we had the ball we tried to use it to create some good chances. We needed to use counter-attacks and for that some players were really important. I think overall it was a good game."

On Middlesbrough's penalty:

"From where I was standing it seems that there was not really a contact. But I still haven't seen it properly."

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg:

"First 15, 20 [minutes] - outstanding. I think we came to a ground where everyone has struggled to play against Swansea and their way of playing.

"They're a good team on the ball. I think we were outstanding with so many players away to keep that control we are so good with - play through, play over, play round.

"It's a little bit tougher when they get their penalty, then I think we're back to taking control of the game. There's a new penalty, 2-1, so it's tough to go in with 2-1 down after that first half.

"We fought back in the second half, I think we did it very well. We create a lot of opportunities, show a lot of desire, character. It could be easy after that first half to put blame on people or anything or each other. They didn't, they just fight through it."