Blackburn 1 Middlesbrough 0

Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole continued their re-emergence as a top-class Premiership strike pairing to condemn Middlesbrough to their ninth away defeat of the season.

Yorke's 57th minute winner came after a link-up with his partner-in-crime, Cole flicking the ball through for the Tobagan to fire emphatically into the bottom corner.

It had been poor fare for the 23,413 people in Ewood Park during a dour first half that Boro slightly shaded.

Indeed, out-of-form Massimo Maccarone should have scored when Stuart Parnaby crossed from the right but he could not get a decisive touch to the ball.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness replaced youngster Neil Danns with Keith Gillespie at half time and the change paid dividends for the home team.

Rovers began to turn the screw and got their due rewards when Yorke blasted them in front.

They could have had more and only a great performance from Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer kept them out.

First though he was indebted to the frame of his goal just two minutes after Yorke's strike when Blackburn's impressive 17-year-old left back James McEveley drilled a wonderful 20-yard shot that crashed back off the bar.

Cole thought he was going to add to his tally of five goals in six games in the 66th minute after magnificently turning Gareth Southgate, but his curling shot was palmed away by the Australian goalkeeper.

David Thompson and Tugay both brought good saves out of the Boro keeper from long-range free kicks and the only chance Boro fashioned in a second period full of errors and misplaced passes was comfortably dealt with by Brad Friedel.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren said after the game: "The second half was a big disappointment, we can't keep not scoring away from home. I believe it will turn though."

His opposite number Souness was delighted with the result, commenting: "We deserved to win after a very good second half. Andy Cole was outstanding yet again today."