FINALLY, Newcastle United are on their way - it's just a shame the same cannot be said of their North-East rivals Middlesbrough.

Neither manager will be happy with their side's start to the 2003-04 campaign, in fact both will be desperate to quickly forget.

That may be a little easier now for Sir Bobby Robson, after Newcastle recorded their fourth win in five matches on Saturday; but not so for Steve McClaren.

The morning before the 103rd Tees-Tyne derby, the Magpies occupied a precarious relegation place. But, after the narrow 1-0 win over Boro, Newcastle's situation has been made all the more brighter - 12th in the Premiership is testament to that.

However, the six spots now separating the two clubs in the league table was not entirely reflected in the proceedings of a passionate, even at times scrappy, encounter. Boro's lightning opening 20 minutes, though, in the end only acted as further evidence to highlight the club's profligacy in front of goal.

Shay Given may have had an exceptional day at the Riverside. But he should not have even had the opportunity to save Szilard Nemeth's shot when the Slovakian went through on goal with just seven minutes on the clock.

Had Nemeth, who is Boro's top-scorer, shown more composure to go around Given and slot into an unguarded net then things would certainly have been different.

Then Boro were shown exactly how to capitalise and make the most of their chances by their opponents, as Newcastle's first shot was turned into a goal.

Shola Ameobi may not be seen as the ideal man to replace injured Craig Bellamy, but the gangly striker has now scored one more in the Premiership than the pacy Welshman has this season.

It is that lead in front of goal which Boro must follow if they are seriously going to challenge for silverware and push for their dreams of a UEFA Cup place.

Even though McClaren may not admit it, he will know deep down that he needs more from his front-men.

Malcolm Christie and Nemeth may work hard but neither will hit 20-goals in one season - something a certain Alan Shearer at Newcastle has done consistently for over a decade.

Whether or not Boro's record buy Massimo Maccarone can do that is a question still open for debate. The Italian did not have the most fruitful of beginnings to life in England, but there are genuine hopes that his second year on these shores will bring more joy.

Maccarone looked lively when he tasted his first action since returning from injury and that is what the Riverside faithful will be hoping to see on a regular basis over the coming months.

The £8.15m buy has shown he has the talent in patches, but now is the time for the former Empoli man to prove he is worth the whopping transfer fee paid out for him just over a year ago.

If he doesn't and McClaren fails to find the lethal formula in the final third, then Boro should be facing another season of mediocrity but at least recent displays suggest they are capable of steering through current troubled waters.

On the other hand, Newcastle - who have had well-documented problems both on and off the pitch - should now go onto establish themselves in the top half of the table once again.

With Shearer et al in the final third that is where they belong.

What would McClaren pay now for someone of the Newcastle skipper's ilk?