Scunthorpe United 0 Middlesbrough 2

BORO won back-to-back matches away from home for the first time in three-and-half-years and for the first time in 15 years kept a clean sheet in their opening three games, writes GORDON COX from Glanford Park.

Boro were unchanged from side that won at Swansea and Gareth Southgate even named an unchanged bench.

Nigel Adkins made one change from the side that beat Derby here on Saturday, Andrew Wright making way for England U19 international Jordan Spence, who joined on loan from West Ham yesterday.

From the wide open expanse of a wide pitch and relatively new stadium in South Wales, Boro moved to North Lincolnshire, and the altogether more confined spaces of Glanford Park.

It was Boro's first ever visit to Scunthorpe's home of 21 years and their first match against The Iron for twice that time.

As a gesture of thanks for their continued tremendous support, Boro's players kicked footballs into the sections of the ground housing their fans - a nice touch and one very well received.

Backed by a noisy crowd, Scunthorpe flew at Boro from the start and it took a fine block from Rhys Williams on the edge of the area to deny Matt Sparrow with just 42 seconds played.

When a Boro move broke down midway inside the United half they were caught with a swift counter-attack and Danny Coyne was forced into a save away to his left as he caught a low, angled drive from Paul Hayes.

The early flurry dealt with, Boro settled to get a foothold in the game and attacked down both flanks, Adam Johnson on the right and Mark Yeates on the left.

But it was through the middle that Boro surged forward with 11 minutes played as Tony McMahon, who had edged to his left and advanced to within 22 yards of goal, saw a shot deflected for a corner.

Seventeen minutes into the first half Gary O'Neil released Johnson, now predominantly on the left.

He immediately went through the middle of the United side and attacked the edge of the area. Initially crowded out, he found Yeates, who attacked down the right and swung over a fine cross which Iron captain Cliff Byrne headed out for a corner from virtually under his own bar.

The pressure was back on the United goal minutes later as Leroy Lita turned well and brought a parrying save from former Sunderland goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

There was nothing he could do about a superb opening goal, which came after 27 minutes as O'Neil cut United apart with a fine ball, Adam Johnson, latched onto it and from 16 yards lobbed Murphy.

They had to defend almost straight away and Coyne produced an excellent save to push away a low edge of area drive from Gary Hooper.

Boro created a fine chance to double their lead with seven minutes of the first half played but Marvin Emnes blasted well over from 14 yards.

Grant McCann was considerably closer from considerably further away when he just cleared the bar with an excellent strike 30 yards out and in front of goal a few minutes later.

In the only minute of added time, Yeates dribbled his way along the Scunthorpe goal-line and went for the narrowest of angles, but Murphy was equal to the test and palmed round for a corner.

Half-time: Scunthorpe United 0 Middlesbrough 1

There was an incredible start to the second half when Williams was tackled inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot with just two minutes played.

Johnson took the kick, Murphy saved away to his right, but Johnson was first to the ball and was brought down by the goalkeeper on the left-hand edge of the six-yard box.

The second penalty in a matter of seconds was again entrusted to Adam Johnson, who this time made no mistake as Murphy went the wrong way and a powerful shot fizzed into the net down the middle.

It was an explosive start and it was about to get even more so as Paul Hayes caught Robert Huth with an unnecessary tackle. The Boro skipper reacted and appeared to throw Hayes to the ground.

There was an anxious wait as players from both sides raced over to create a flashpoint.

Referee Michael Oliver sought opinion from the assistant closest to play and issued a yellow card to Hayes.

With the Scunthorpe fans closest to the incident baying for blood, or at least a card the same colour, Oliver lectured the Germany international, before showing yellow.

Back on with the game and first it was David Wheater with a superb clearing header from under his own bar as he dealt with a flicked header from a vicious, inswinging left-wing corner, then Coyne with an excellent one-handed save to deny Hooper, who shot powerfully for goal from and angled 12 yards.

A terrific second half carried on apace as Murphy saved excellently from Lita, who drilled low from the edge of the penalty area before Emnes sent in a blistering effort just over the bar from a similar position.

A cramped ground, with fans shoehorned into all quarters under floodlights illuminating a perfect playing surface under an inky blue sky, made for a tremendous atmosphere - and both sides were going for it.

Stockton-born Rob Jones rose high to meet a left-wing corner won after Huth had headed clear earlier danger, while minutes later Coyne made his way through bodies to punch clear.

Entering the last 10 minutes the home side still fancied they could find a way back into the game - and the amount of possession they were enjoying suggested they might.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Michael O'Connor headed for goal from 10 yards but again Coyne, who was excellent again, handled well.

In the second of four added minutes Emnes burst away down the Boro right and a third goal was on the cards, but his approach work was let down with a cross which caused little problem.

EXPERT OPINION.

Tonight BBC 5 Live's Alastair Yeomans offers his thoughts.

I think Middlesbrough learned a lot against Sheffield United in the opening game. They learned they have to earn the right to play and that showed tonight.

I thought they turned in a vibrant performance and in Robert Huth and David Wheater they have a partnership which could be hugely influential in this division. Scunthorpe played well, but Boro had determination to repel them and enough class to take advantage.

Scunthorpe United: Murphy; Spence, Byrne (Capt), Jones, Williams, Sparrow (Thompson 84), McCann, O'Connor (J Wright 51), Woolford, Hayes, Hooper. Unused subs: Lillis (gk); Forte, Morris, Canavan, Togwell.

Middlesbrough: Coyne; McMahon, Wheater, Huth (Capt), Grounds, Yeates (Arca 84), Williams, O'Neil, A Johnson (Hoyte 89), Lita (Tuncay 74), Emnes. Unused subs: Steele (gk); Taylor, Hines, Franks.

Referee: Michael Oliver, Northumberland.