Agony goes on for Boro's travelsick fans

But those followers, who held up the "Take us home" cards, were the ones smiling by the final whistle.

And perhaps after Boro's latest away-day nightmare the next time they venture outside Teesside the Boro fans should take similar signs with them.

Boro's latest defeat on their travels - at Fulham's temporary ground Loftus Road - means it is still unhappy reading for Steve McClaren's men.

McClaren and Co know it is now an incredible eight games - 12 hours and 32 minutes to be precise - since his side last scored a Premiership goal away from the Riverside.

And since that goal - during a 3-0 win at Tottenham on September 28 - they have failed to pick up as much as a point, as they have had to see themselves drop from European hopefuls to mid-table mediocrity.

Sean Davis' cool first half strike proved enough in London yesterday to claim all the points for the Cottagers.

McClaren was desperate to see his side hit the goal trail again and he handed Noel Whelan only his second start of the season after his wonder-goal against Southampton eight days earlier.

Whelan had not been named in the first 11 since the opening day of the current campaign and he replaced Alen Boksic up front.

Joseph-Desire Job, Boro's most creative player since August, was also sacrificed as McClaren chose not to play with a man just behind the front two, favouring a more orthodox four-man midfield.

There was no place in the squad for loan signing John Eustace, although he did make the trip to the capital and he sat on the bench. Jean Tigana, meanwhile, had to again do without former Newcastle striker Louis Saha, who continues to struggle with a hamstring problem, as Fulham looked to win for the first time in five top-flight games.

Following that run, Tigana's men had dropped to just two places above the relegation places and the Frenchman had labelled the match with Boro a 'must win' game. And they responded to their manager's demands by making a lively start.

Within a minute, striker Facundo Sava's cross was flicked on by Steve Marlet into the path of Bjarne Goldbaek, but the Dane's powerful shot flew wide.

Goldbaek turned provider moments later when his cross from the right was headed off target by Sava, who had found space in Boro's penalty area. Fulham's promising start did fade, as Boro began to see more of the ball.

However, it was the hosts who were still creating the chances.

Skilful midfielder Davis had a couple of efforts. First his 20-yard shot was easily saved by Mark Schwarzer and then his header just went wide of the upright.

Jonathan Greening burst through unchallenged, but his wayward effort flew into Row Z behind Maik Taylor's goal - the midfielder should really have found Maccarone unmarked out wide.

And seconds later Boro found themselves a goal down. Steed Malbranque's super through ball set Davis in the clear.

The England Under-21 international beat Gareth Southgate for pace before slipping the ball beyond Schwarzer and into the keeper's bottom left corner.

That strike was exactly what Fulham deserved.

However, just before the half-time whistle Boro very nearly got the leveller with a freak goal. Southgate's long punt forward bounced over the head of Taylor and was heading for goal, but defender Martin Djetou cleared his lines with Whelan breathing down his neck.

It came as no surprise when Job was introduced when the players returned for the second half, replacing Luke Wilkshire as McClaren reverted to his preferred 4-3-1-2 formation.

But it was Fulham who started the brighter again and they should have made it 2-0.

Maccarone cleared Malbranque's effort off the line and then £10m Marlet had two efforts blocked by Queudrue and Schwarzer.

As the rain poured down over Loftus Road, the pace of the game lifted on the slippery turf.

And, although Fulham were hitting on the;break, Boro looked more dangerous; with Maccarone and Job starting to cause Fulham problems.

Taylor had to be alert to tip over a left-foot drive by Job, after the Cameroon star jinked his way past two defenders.

But the danger signs were still there for Boro, and Southgate nearly hashed a clearance into his own net; Sava had a header rocket off the bar; and Goldbaek's long-range effort had to be tipped round the past by Schwarzer.

After that Boro, despite the introduction of Szilard Nemeth, never looked like gaining an equaliser and Fulham claimed the much-needed points.

Result: Fulham 1 Middlesbrough 0.

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