MIDDLESBROUGH dug deep and demonstrated the character that was sadly lacking at Wigan in midweek.

Gareth Southgate's men certainly rode their luck at times and Fulham can thank themselves extremely unfortunate not to have come away with at least a point.

Where some teams may have capitulated after going a goal down early in the game, Boro were always in with a shout of getting at least a point at Craven Cottage. To come away with all three was the icing on the cake ahead of next week's Tyne-Tees derby.

Boro simply refused to succumb to a third straight defeat ahead of Sunday's visit of Newcastle United.

And with the addition of Mido, the storm clouds finally appear to be lifting above the Riverside Stadium.

Boro's new recruit was impressive alongside Tuncay Sanli, marking his debut with a goal. Tuncay on the other hand, despite playing as a forward for Boro for the first time, was way below his best.