THE RECORD books may stay intact, as Middlesbrough's long search for a goal came in the shape of a double at Blackburn Rovers yesterday.

Top-scorer Juninho grabbed both Boro goals as Steve McClaren's men extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

But a brace from unlikely Rovers' hero Markus Babbel claimed a last-gasp Boxing Day point for the hosts at a rain-sodden Ewood Park.

Juninho's first, a clever chip over goalkeeper Brad Friedel, was the visitors' first League goal for 451 minutes but it was his sensational second, his fourth of the season, which put his side in the driving seat for all three points.

It was a post-Christmas draw which came with its own belated gift from Boro when they handed Blackburn an early lead.

Nearly 700 minutes after anyone had scored past the Riverside outfit in the top-flight, all their hard-work was undone within three minutes when they were made to pay for some slack defending as German defender Babbel headed in a corner.

Boro's hopes of equalling Arsenal's five-year-old Premiership record of eight successive clean sheets were brought to a shuddering halt.

Boro responded in the right manner against their relegation-threatened opponents, but another Babbel header, in injury time and with Friedel up for the corner, stopped Boro from taking all three points.

McClaren may be frustrated by the manner in which his side failed to hang on to the lead, but he will be encouraged by his players' improvements in the final third ahead of tomorrow's match with title hopefuls Manchester United at the Riverside.

Bolo Zenden enjoyed another lively display in the middle of midfield after McClaren showed the confidence to try the Dutchman in that role following his performance in the Carling Cup success over Tottenham.

His change of position created the opportunity for in-form winger Stewart Downing to replace Zenden on the left flank and make his first Premiership start of the campaign.

Skipper Gareth Southgate shrugged off the flu but the biggest surprise was the omission of tough-tackling Danny Mills.

Mills was ruled out with bronchitis, so young defender Andrew Davies filled the void at right-back.

Blackburn started the day hovering perilously close to the relegation zone and manager Graeme Souness called for the 'passion and aggression' that was lacking from his side's 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

It was exactly that sort of attitude which led to Rovers becoming the team to break Boro's fantastic defensive record with suprising ease after just 155 seconds.

Boro had not conceded in the top-flight since October 18 but that resolute approach was nowhere to be seen when Babbel rose unchallenged to head a Brett Emerton corner past Mark Schwarzer.

Another Blackburn corner five minutes later - their third of the game - went close to adding a second. This time Martin Taylor, who once had a spell at Darlington, only found the foot of the post when his head connected with the ball.

Boro's transformation from relegation candidates to UEFA Cup hopefuls in recent months has been down to their miserly ways in their own penalty area.

But the large following of away supporters will not have needed reminding that they could have been a lot higher up the table had goals flowed at the other end.

And Michael Ricketts - preferred to Massimo Maccarone and Szilard Nemeth - attempted to turn the tables but his difficult header was well saved by Friedel.

The torrential rain refused to ease off and the slippery conditions led to players' over-exuberance resulting in yellow cards. George Boateng and Gary Flitcroft were booked by referee Alan Wiley for seperate fouls within a minute of each other.

But a well-worked move finally ended Boro's long search for a goal in the League.

After a little over 7 hours of Premiership football since Ricketts found the net from the spot at Aston Villa, he played his part in the equaliser.

The former Bolton man was put free down the left wing by Zenden before his well executed slide-rule pass sent Juninho through on goal. With just Friedel to beat, the little Brazilian jinked the ball over the American to hand Boro a lifeline.

It looked like a huge weight had been lifted from Boro's shoulders. And had Gaizka Mendieta adjusted to the monsoon conditions they could have gone in a goal up.

Mendieta fired well wide of the target after being found at the back post unmarked by Juninho's low cross from the left after another neat pass from Zenden.

Souness knew something was needed as the pendulum started to sway his former club's way.

So the fiery Scot brought on Andy Cole, linked with a move to Boro next month, and Alan Mahon for Dwight Yorke and Nils-Eric Johnansson respectively.

But Juninho ensured that had little effect when he struck a fine goal. Picked out by another super pass from Zenden, he cut inside from the right before slotting a left-footed shot into Friedel's bottom right corner on 51 minutes.

The introduction of Turkish midfielder Tugay lifted Blackburn's hopes and his shot zipped fractionally wide of the upright and his dangerous cross was very nearly turned goalwards by Cole.

And, just as Boro looked destined to secure a crucial victory, Babbel headed another corner from ex-Boro target Emerton low beyond the hand of Schwarzer.

Result: Blackburn Rovers 2 Middlesbrough 2.

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