MALCOLM CHRISTIE took another step on the road back to full fitness last night, scoring one and creating the other as Boro Reserves beat West Brom's second string 2-1.

The striker had a good 80 minute work-out after completing 90 minutes against Blackburn the previous week, and saw one or two first half efforts go close as well.

Brad Jones had an easy time in the visitors' goal during an opening 45 minutes dominated by Boro, who had a penalty appeal turned down following a 30th minute tackle by Artim Sakiri on the diminutive Anthony Peacock.

Christie and fellow frontman Danny Graham threatened and it was no surprise when Boro took the lead on 56 minutes.

Adam Johnson's through ball sent Graham away to cross for Christie to finish from eight yards.

Boro scored again six minutes later. James Morrison's neat chip over the defence sent Christie away on the right and his cross was headed in by Graham.

Ronnie Wallwork reduced the arrears for Albion with a close range 77th minute shot but Boro held on.

Boro (4-4-2): Jones; McMahon, Bates, Wheater, Taylor; Morrison, Peacock (Grounds 89), Kennedy, Johnson; Christie (Reed 80), Graham. Subs not used: Watts, Hines, Clough

Reserve team coach Malcolm Crosby, however, urged caution as Christie eyes a quick-return to first-team action.

He said: "It was good to get another match into Malcolm, he's shaping up well but there's still a little way to go."

Christie's £3m dream move from Derby in January last year turned into a nightmare for the striker after he broke his right leg at the club's Rockliffe Park training ground last November.

Christie netted four goals in 12 matches for Boro in the 2002-03 campaign after scoring 30 goals in 90 starts for the Rams.

But the Peterborough-born forward managed only two goals in 11 games the following campaign before injury brought his season to a premature end.

Meanwhile, there's better news on the injury front regarding Ugo Ehiogu.

Back and calf injuries have limited Ehiogu to only two appearances this term but boss Steve McClaren has scheduled his £8m defender to be back in action at the beginning of next month.

* Carling Cup holders Boro have been drawn at home to Peter Reid's Coventry City in the third round.

The full draw is: Portsmouth v Leeds, Chelsea v West Ham, Middlesbrough v Coventry, Doncaster v Nottingham Forest, Newcastle v Norwich, Millwall v Liverpool, Burnley v Aston Villa, Southampton v Colchester, Sheff United v Watford, Everton v Leicester/Preston, Charlton v Crystal Palace, Bolton v Tottenham, Bournemouth v Cardiff, Man City v Arsenal, Birmingham v Fulham, Crewe v Man Utd.

Ties to be played week commencing October 25.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.