TEENAGER David Murphy helped manager Steve McClaren to his first win in charge of Middlesbrough last night, it was just a shame there wasn't many at the Riverside Stadium to see the 3-1 victory.

Local boy Murphy, a 17-year-old left-back, scored the opener and created the second for the Premiership side on his full debut against Second Division strugglers Northampton Town in the Worthington Cup second round clash.

McClaren also saw Slovakian striker Szilard Nemeth and midfielder Mark Wilson find the net on their first starts since arriving in the summer.

But there was only a dreadful crowd of 3,918 on Teesside to witness the success, a record low for an encounter played at the ground.

For Hartlepool-born Murphy, though, this was an opportunity to force his way into the plans of a team who are starved of a natural defender on the left.

The youngster quickly found out that he has to be alert in senior football as the visitors forced a corner down his flank within seconds of the kick-off.

Town almost took the lead when from the flag-kick, taken by Paul McGregor, former Darlington centre-back Richard Hope headed over from eight yards.

Boro had the majority of the early possession, but their lower league opponents were in no mood to hand a place in the third round to their more glamorous hosts and that was reflected by a high challenge by Chris Hargreaves that left Dean Windass with a severe cut to his head.

Windass disappeared down the tunnel for an eight minute treatment session, but Hargreaves was able to carry on and he provided the cross which saw Sam Parkin's tame header saved by Saturday's red card victim Mark Schwarzer in the home goal.

The Cobblers were creating the better chances and in the 27th minute lively Jamie Forrester's centre was volleyed goalwards by Parkin, however Schwarzer was on hand again to block.

It was not until eight minutes before half-time that Adam Sollitt in the Northampton goal was required to make a save when he acrobatically turned over a Windass header following good work from Allan Johnston.

Boro began the second period positively and Wilson had two shots at goal. The first flew wide of the post and the second went straight into Sollitt's hands from distance.

Skipper for the evening, with Paul Ince rested, was Ugo Ehiogu and just when it seemed Ince's leadership qualities were in desperate need, Murphy was on hand to provide the inspiration on 54 minutes.

A dangerous cross from Carlos Marinelli from the right saw the England youth international pop up at the back post to head in from inside the six yard box.

That goal was exactly what Boro deserved after their bright start to the second period and it would have been no surprise had they just been reacting to a half-time rollicking from McClaren.

Goal-hero Murphy's senior debut got even better on 62 minutes when his low cross was controlled by Nemeth, who turned and fired past Sollitt to make it 2-0.

But instead of just rolling over and allowing Boro to romp to victory, Kevin Wilson's men went on the offensive and pulled a goal back on 79 minutes. Forrester's cross from the left found Parkin in the area an the 20-year-old's left-foot volley found its target.

But just as Northampton looked like they could force the clash to extra-time, keeper Sollitt allowed a Wilson long range effort through his legs and the match was won with eight minutes remaining on the clock.

McClaren said: "Northampton had a good first half and made it very difficult for us. But I was very peased and satisfied with our performance in the second peiord.

"It was good to see all three debutants get on the scoresheet and they all had decent games.

"Murphy, in particular, he started perhaps a little nervous but once he got the goal he settled right down and I thought he really was excellent.

"He is one for the future.

"Wilson is an attack-minded midfielder, he too had an excellent game. He was fortunate for his goal but he could have scored two or three.''

And the Boro boss is hoping the win will kick-start their Premiership campaign. "Something like this can instil confidence in the players, we are now hoping that this result is a small step around the corner after a disappointing start.

"We go into Saturday's game on the back of a win.''

Read more about the Boro here.