Middlesbrough 2 Barnsley 1

GORDON STRACHAN celebrated his birthday by watching Boro turn in arguably their best home performance of the season, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside.

There were just three survivors from the side that started against Barnsley six weeks ago, Danny Coyne, Gary O'Neil and Jonathan Franks.

It was a side that showed four changes after the draw at Ipswich as Scott McDonald made his Boro debut to give Chris Killen his sixth striker partner in as many games and Boro their 12 different striking combination of the season.

Barry Robson returned from suspension, Franks started in place of Andy Taylor, while Emanuel Pogatetz returned from injury to replaced as Boro started with their 19th different back four of the current campaign.

David Wheater missed a game for the first time this season, suffering with a knee complaint, Justin Hoyte dropped to the bench, as did Lee Miller, while Taylor missed out altogether.

Pogatetz started at left-back, Grounds at centre-half, Franks on the left-wing and Willo Flood on the right.

Barnsley made one change after the victory against Watford at Oakwell on Saturday, with Kieran Trippier replacing Ryan Shotton, who was sent-off in that game.

After a tentative start to the game from both sides, Barnsley were the first to show in an attacking way as Filipe Teixeira took up a good position in the Boro penalty area but cleared the bar with an effort from 10 yards.

The hosts responded and McDonald peeled away to shoot for goal as Boro took control of second phase possession inside the Barnsley box, Luke Steele making a smart save with his legs from a low, angled drive.

McDonald, starting impressively, got the benefit of doubt when he appeared to "ease" Darren Moore off the ball on the edge of the Barnsley penalty area. The ball ran away from him but he still put pressure on Steele, who slid out of play when gathering and Boro won a corner.

That brought no riches, but Boro ought to have taken the lead with 18 minutes played as Killen timed a run behind a square Barnsley back line and lobbed over Steele. However, the ball was out wide and after taking time to pick his spot, the striker shot at a covering defender who cleared off the line.

Franks was next to threaten as he cut in and shot for goal, his effort deflecting off Trippier and looping up onto the top of the net.

Boro's impressive start continued as corner number five was won with 23 minutes played and a few seconds later they were in the lead.

Gary O'Neil swung over a left-wing corner, Grounds flicked on at the near post and Chris Killen turned in from inside the six-yard box to register his first Boro goal.

Moore went close from the right-hand edge of the six-yard box when rising to head for goal from a free-kick, but it was Boro who found the net again 10 minutes from half-time.

With Barnsley again playing square at the back, Robson played a fine ball low and straight from deep to Gary O'Neil not far from the edge of the Barnsley box. The Boro skipper scored his fourth goal of the season when taking his time to coolly slot beyond Steele - a classy finish.

Boro almost added another two minutes from the end of normal time in the first half as Flood, enjoying another good game, cut inside the box and picked out McDonald. A clever turn took him away from anyone who thought of making a challenge and a low lay-off set up Killen, who brought a spreading save from Steele with a low shot from 14 yards.

Entering injury-time, clever football from Kyle Naughton, making his home debut, gave him time to swing over a good cross from deep on the right and Steele grabbed a looping Franks header under the crossbar.

Boro deserved the rich applause that greeted the half-time whistle.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 2 Barnsley 0

Mark Robins turned things around at Oakwell in the reverse fixture and set about doing it again tonight, making a personnel and tactical change during the interval as Anderson De Silva made way for Jay Rodriguez and Barnsley switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

They looked better for the readjustment and created a chance early in the second half as a low ball fizzed through the Boro box and the effervescent Flood was on hand to thump clear.

Trickery on the ball from the Dubliner set Boro going just inside the opposition half, three players left in his wake as he danced with the ball. But Barnsley were made of sterner stuff in the second half and matched up to Boro in a better way.

McDonald was having none of it, though, as he raced through just left of centre and at the second attempt curled just wide from the right-hand edge of the Boro box.

However, Barnsley pulled one back with 65 minutes played as Hugo Colace capitalised on a weak headed clearance from Stephen McManus and drilled home low not far from the D.

A chance to equalise followed a few minutes later as Andy Gray was presented with what amounted to a free header nine yards from goal, but he headed tamely at Coyne, who hadn't been overworked to this point.

Killen, limping slightly, was replaced by home debutant Lee Miller midway through the second half in a game that was still in the balance, with a much-needed home win from from guaranteed.

Flood continued to cause problems, McDonald's movement remained impressive and Boro were still looking to wrap it up, but Barnsley were determined and asking questions of Boro's rearguard.

With eight minutes remaining a long, diagonal ball eluded Naughton, but his recovery was good and epitomised Boro's resilience.

The second half had been a decent contest, Boro taking a while to settle in their stride, but there was usually an outlet, nearly always a decent pass and always commitment allied with drive and determination.

There was a nervy end to the game as Barnsley applied pressure, missed with a clear headed chance (thought it wouldn't have counted because of a push) and Franks fizzed a low cross through the Barnsley box with Boro's final attack.

Middlesbrough: Coyne; Naughton (Hoyte 90), Grounds, McManus, Pogatetz, Franks, Flood, O'Neil (Capt), Robson, Killen (Miller 68), McDonald. Unused subs: Steele (gk); McMahon, Bennett, Lita, L Williams.

Barnsley: Steele; Foster (Capt), Moore, Dickinson, Trippier (Hume 77), Teixeira, Doyle, Da Silva (Rodriguez 46), Hallfredsson (Hammill 58), Colace, Gray. Unused subs: Preece (gk); Macken, Potter, Butterfield.

Referee: Carl Boyeson, East Yorkshire.

Bookings

Middlesbrough: O'Neil, 75, taking a free-kick too quickly.

Barnsley: Dickinson, 74, dissent.

Attendance: 17,775 (815 Barnsley)

Conditions: Cold, slight breeze, occasional rain and snow.

Website Boro Man of the Match: Eye catching performances from Jonathan Franks and Willo Flood, but Scott McDonald gets the vote.