GORDON STRACHAN heaped praise on two-goal striker Leroy Lita after a typically all-action display put Queens Park Rangers to the sword.

Dave Kitson started the scoring with a fine striker's finish before Lita converted a penalty and then put Boro 3-1 up with a stunning solo goal.

Lita was also instrumental in Gary O'Neil's goal, Boro's fourth, before Mark Yeates wrapped up the win with his first goal for the club.

Strachan was delighted with the shift put in by Lita, saying: "The energy he puts into the game is fantastic."

The former Reading striker was booked for over-celebrating his penalty after being on the receiving end of some sustained stick from the home fans.

"I didn't see it," said Strachan, when asked about Lita's celebration. "But the ref doesn't book their man for deliberate handball.

"I can't stop people celebrating. You don't realise how hard it is to be a footballer. Surely a bit of goading is okay as long as it's not vicious."

Boro had several penalty appeals turned down during the game but Strachan said: "After the penalty was not given a Peterborough last week, I don't expect any penalty decisions to go our way again!

"Leroy was brought down a couple of times for what we believe were penalties in the first half."

After what was a stunning team performance, Strachan also picked out midfielder Isaiah Osbourne, on loan from Aston Villa, as well as Irish winger Yeates.

"Young Osbourne was fantastic," he said. "That was what he is all about. The kid has put himself into the frame, he is a good player.

"Mark Yeates also did well. The longer the game went on the more he seemed to believe he belonged in that team.

"That could have been the result of three of the last four games but this time we had the concentration and a bit of luck at times, because you do need that.

"That was a rounded performance. Some of the football and the decision making was excellent and our retention of the ball was much better.

"We did that against Peterborough but let ourselves down, conceded two goals and we created a lot of chances at Crystal Palace. But we're very pleased with the performance."

VISIT BORO'S SUPERB, EASY TO USE MFC DIRECT ONLINE STORE NOW!