Middlesbrough 2 Doncaster Rovers 0

BORO sit top of the fledgling Championship table tonight after goals from Tuncay, Leroy Lita's first for the club and a record-equalling clean sheet from Danny Coyne saw off Doncaster, writes GORDON COX.

Both sides made one change from their previous games, both injury enforced, as Julio Arca replaced Gary O'Neil in the Boro line-up, while former Boro player Mark Wilson replaced Martin Woods for Rovers.

Wilson wasn't the only one in the Rovers line-up with Boro connections.

Paul Heffernan trialed with the club on several occasions as an U16, as did James Coppinger, who went on to join Newcastle, for whom Lewis Guy and goalkeeper Ben Smith also played.

The father of Dean Shiels, who was on Arsenal's books as a youngster, was a coach for Boro's Development Centre in Northern Ireland. Shiels senior is now head of the Centre of Excellence at Tranmere Rovers.

After early probing from both sides Boro started to gain an early edge as Marvin Emnes caused a problem for the Rovers rearguard down their right and Adam Johnson brought a parrying save from one time Tottenham and Scotland goalkeeper Neil Sullivan.

Former Sunderland player John Oster was the first to threaten the Boro goal, but a low drive from just inside the penalty area was never going to trouble Danny Coyne.

His opposite number, Sullivan, was the first in the book after catching Emnes with a high challenge just outside the top right-hand corner of the penalty area.

Sullivan seemed to catch the Dutch U21 international around the neck as he cleared and, after four minutes of treatment, the youngster was taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Tuncay, both players receiving terrific ovations.

It took around a minute for the Turkey captain to make his mark.

He was given he probably last had at junior level as he took possession inside the penalty area before ramming a low shot away to Sullivan's right from 11 yards with 16 minutes played.

It should have been two after 25 when Tuncay set up Adam Johnson. The winger took advantage of slack marking to advance further in the penalty area and picked out Leroy Lita, who appeared to completely miss-kick seven yards out in front of goal.

They may have been frail at the back, but Doncaster passed the ball around well and occasionally had Boro stretched. One move approaching the half hour mark set up Wilson, who had Coyne flying away to his left to make sure a 25-yard drive from an awkward angle went just wide.

With 38 minutes showing Boro broke quickly and moved the ball well around the Doncaster penalty area, but when Tuncay turned in a low Jonathan Grounds cross from the left joy was cut short by a linesman's flag, with offside the judgement.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 1 Doncaster Rovers 0

It was reported during the break that Emnes was suffering from mild concussion, but neither further treatment or a hospital visit was required.

The first shot of the second half came from Johnson three minutes into it, but Sullivan was comfortable enough as he saved a low, placed effort away to his right.

However, he was taking a lot of stick from the Boro fans behind him in the North Stand after the foul on Emnes earlier in the game.

Lita was sent clear behind the Rovers back line but was too far wide to cause any problems, though he did shoot for goal, a half-paced effort rolling out of harm's way across the six-yard box and out for a goal kick.

Boro were finding it frustrating as chances became thin on the ground. They still enjoyed the majority of possession, but the quality cutting edge hadn't come with them.

As a consequence the game hung in the balance and Doncaster began to grown in confidence.

The 63rd-minute introduction of last season's leading scorer Paul Heffernan brought a slight change in formation for Rovers, who adopted a more orthodox 4-4-2 from their starting formation of 4-2-1-2-1.

But it was Boro who gave themselves a cushion with Leroy Lita's first goal in Boro colours as he met a simple cross from the right.

His first touch set up a right-foot volley on the turn from the left-hand edge of the six-yard box, which gave Sullivan no chance - a stunning finish 20 minutes from time.

Rovers had gone close through captain Brian Stock, while Heffernan just cleared the bar with a spectacular overhead kick after an effective wall had blocked a free-kick from the D on the edge if their box during the second of four added minutes

But this was Boro's day. Not spectacular, but effective, and another clean sheet.

*Earlier today Boro's U18s got their league season off to a winning start, beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 at Rockliffe Park in the first of two out of zone fixtures. Boro's goalscorers were Luke Williams (two) and Ben Gibson.

Middlesbrough Coyne; McMahon, Wheater, Huth (Capt), Grounds, Yeates (Aliadiere 71), Williams, Arca, A Johnson, Lita (Taylor 84), Emnes (Tuncay 16). Unused subs: Steele (gk); Hoyte, Hines, Bennett.

Doncaster Rovers Sullivan; Chambers, Lockwood, Shackell, Roberts, Coppinger, Oster (Spicer 77), Stock (Capt), Wilson (Fortune 77), Shiels (Heffernan 63), Hayter. Unused subs: Smith (gk); Guy, Dumbuya, Hird.

Referee: Graham Salisbury

Bookings

Middlesbrough: Arca, 61, foul; Lita, 70, taking shirt off to celebrate goal.

Doncaster Rovers: Sullivan, 11, foul.

Attendance: 22,041, (2,035 from Doncaster)

Conditions: Warm and sunny

Website Boro Man of the Match: Robert Huth