JIMMY-FLOYD Hasselbaink did exactly what Steve McClaren brought him in to do at Nottingham Forest last night, as Middlesbrough's array of stars maintained their unbeaten pre-season run.

The Dutchman, with his first goals for his new club since moving from Chelsea, grabbed one in each half to help Boro cruise to a 4-1 victory.

The 32-year-old made the most of a first-half defensive error by coolly slotting a right foot shot underneath the outstretched left arm of goalkeeper Paul Gerrard and then he claimed his second by powering a low drive into the bottom corner.

They were the sort of finishes Boro have been craving for years and the type of strikes that bodes well for McClaren's men as they start to cast an eye towards the Premiership kick-off with Newcastle United on August 14.

It was Hasselbaink's calm assurance in front of goal that McClaren - whose side drew at Rotherham and won at Preston last week - has been searching for since succeeding Bryan Robson three years ago.

The fact is that the Boro boss, with Mark Viduka also in his ranks, now has the quality in front of goal that has been missing since he took over - as the likes of Massimo Maccarone, Alen Boksic and Szilard Nemeth have all lacked consistency.

And McClaren, widely tipped to be the next England coach as the speculation surrounding the future of Sven-Goran Eriksson grows, can look to the new season with optimism safe in the knowledge that the squad he has assembled should be seriously challenging for a place in the top six.

As well as being impressed by the composure shown by Hasselbaink, the boss will also have been delighted with the first performance of Ray Parlour in a Boro shirt.

Parlour, a free signing from Arsenal last week, lined up alongside George Boateng in the middle and showed his classy pedigree by never playing a stray ball to his new teammates.

This may have only been a friendly but, with Bolo Zenden on his way to the Riverside on a permanent basis and Michael Reiziger due to make his first appearance at Hansa Rostock on Saturday, McClaren's men should be a force in the up-coming campaign.

The victory at the City Ground - witnessed by Boro and Forest legend Brian Clough - was assured without Juninho who was once again left out in the cold.

But the Brazilian, earlier in the day, responded to his exclusion by grabbing a hat-trick in a 5-3 behind-closed doors win over Bradford at Rockliffe Park.

Hasselbaink broke the deadlock on 11 minutes last night when he capitalised on hesitancy from Gregor Robertson before side-footing, with ease, beyond Gerrard.

Then, ten minutes later, Hasselbaink played his part in the second when his attempt to turn a Gaizka Mendieta free-kick goalwards was saved by the Forest keeper, but Franck Queudrue was at the back post to tap into an empty net.

Mendieta also had a shot deflected marginally wide, but the visitors did not have it all their own way. Eoin Jess and Andy Reid both had early shots spilled for corners by Mark Schwarzer and then the Aussie made two exceptional stops.

First he denied David Johnson at the striker's feet and, moments later, Boro's No 1 turned Marlon King's fine header over the bar with a super one-handed save.

But Boro wrapped things up when Joseph Job, seconds after replacing Viduka, had the simple task of placing the ball into an unguarded goal after Boateng's effort hit the post just after the hour.

And then Hasselbaink drove a left-foot strike through a crowded area and into Gerrard's bottom left corner for the fourth. Forest did strike a late consolation through substitute Craig Westcarr.

Forest: Gerrard, Louis-Jean, James (Commons 69), Morgan (Hjelde 65), Doig, Reid (Beaumont 84), Jess (Gardner 74), Robertson, Impey, Johnson (Taylor 65), King (Westcarr 84). Subs (not used): Ward, Perch, Bopp, Cash, Biggins.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby (McMahon 37), Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Parlour, Boateng, Mendieta, Downing, Hasselbaink, Viduka (Job 61). Subs (not used): Morrison, Wheater, Peacock, Turnbull.

Attendance: 12,690

l As well as Juninho hitting three against Bradford, Jonathan Greening, still in talks over a move to West Brom, and Szilard Nemeth, who has now hit five goals in three pre-season matches, were also on the scoresheet earlier yesterday.