THE much-vaunted Mark Viduka doled out ruthlessness and compassion in the space of a minute as young Andrew Davies learned the harshest of lessons at the Riverside.

Centre-back Davies, 18, made a fatal slip as he attempted to take care of Jermaine Pennant's last-ditch through ball and Viduka, as ever prowling with predatory menace, pounced to lob over stranded Australia teammate Mark Schwarzer in the Boro goal.

It was cruel on Steve McClaren's side, who had come from behind to lead, but particularly so for Stockton lad Davies.

Striker Viduka, whose future has been the subject of fevered speculation, was the first to approach the "devastated'' Davies on the final whistle to console him after the worst moment to date in his embryonic career.

Vidkua is renowned for his killer instinct, but the human touch was something different.

Perhaps it hinted at a new inner peace in Viduka after a turbulent summer, during which he was involved in a training ground bust-up with manager Peter Reid.

Despite interest from Inter Milan, Viduka now insists his mind is solely on Leeds. "I love playing for Leeds - they're my club,'' he said. "I'm not just going anywhere for the sake of going. I like it here, I'm comfortable and I like the Premiership.

"I think everybody thought Leeds were going to struggle, but things are looking up and that's encouraged me.''

Former Sunderland boss Reid said: "Mark has radar - it's the sign of a great striker. He has scored goals for me since I came here and he's got two already this season.

"A lot has been written about me and Mark but the bottom line is he scores goals. There are not many like him about and they cost a fortune.

"I'm glad he didn't go to Milan, but I had something to say about turning down that loan deal. I backed the chairman (John McKenzie) on that one. It's not going to happen now. The best thing for everybody is for Mark to settle down and play his best for football for Leeds.''

Viduka was also generous in his assessment of Boro. He said: "They came back at us and created some good chances and we were under a lot of pressure. It was a difficult game for us.''

But, unlike Leeds, who boast one of the best frontline pairings in the country in Viduka and England's Alan Smith, Boro lacked a genuine focus for their attacking intent.

With Juninho playing behind Szilard Nemeth and Joseph-Desire Job, and home debutant Gaizka Mendieta providing width and verve on the right, there was plenty of movement and enterprise.

But too many chances went begging and it was late in the game before manager McClaren summoned targetmen Malcolm Christie and Michael Ricketts from the bench.

As so often, Nemeth ultimately flattered to deceive after bringing Boro back into the game with a cool finish on the hour.

Within two minutes, they were ahead. Mendieta's free-kick was only partially cleared and Juninho brought the ball under control delightfully before hitting a dipping left-foot volley into the far corner of Paul Robinson's net.

But Juninho's greed may have cost Boro the match in the 71st minute when he chose to shoot for goal rather than feed Mendieta, who was unmarked on the right and literally crying out for the ball.

Five minutes later, central defender Zoumana Camara - signed from Lens - scored his first Leeds goal with a powerful header on the end of fellow loanee Pennant's right-wing corner.

Arsenal winger Pennant had also set up Leeds' 16th-minute opener for another loan signing, left-sided wideman Lamine Sakho.

Like Camara, it was his first goal since arriving from France, where Champions League qualifiers Marseille deemed him surplus to requirements.

And the outstanding Pennant could claim a partial assist at least when Vidkua struck to secure Leeds' first victory of the season after Boro had blown the chance of breaking their own win duck.

Davies cut a forlorn figure and McClaren said: "He's devastated and blaming himself, but these things happen.

"He'll learn from this. We've told him it's no disgrace. He has the character to bounce back - and so have we.''

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