The club's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed at Chelsea on Monday, and Boro wanted to put on a show in their final top-flight match at the Riverside.
Instead, Steve Agnew's side produced a stuttering display that was punished by much-changed Southampton, with under-fire Claude Puel leading his side to a 2-1 victory.
Patrick Bamford (John Walton/Empics)
Steve Agnew says @Patrick_Bamford's goal was the highlight of an otherwise disappointing afternoon for #Boro