ON-LOAN Gary Walsh pulled off two second-half wonder saves to rescue a point for Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough at Maine Road yesterday.

Walsh foiled George Weah and Jeff Whitley in spectacular fashion after Paulo Wanchope had levelled for City in the 67th minute.

The Costa Rican striker's fourth Premiership goal of the season - he hit a hat-trick in the 4-2 home win over Sunderland last month - countered Gianluca Festa's 55th-minute opener.

It was the Italian defender's first goal since the 2-2 draw with Newcastle at the Riverside in May.

But besieged Boro were forced to cling on grimly yesterday, with City throwing everything at them in the closing stages of an ill-tempered game which produced seven bookings.

As injuries and illness continued to take their toll, Robson had to make seven changes to the side which started the 2-1 home defeat by Everton.

The surprise casualties were striker Alen Boksic and midfielder Christian Karembeu while defender Gary Pallister failed to shake off the lingering effects of a groin strain.

Robbie Mustoe, who celebrated ten years with Boro in the summer, came into the midfield for his first appearance of the season and front-runner Andy Campbell and centre-back Jason Gavin both starting for the first time this term.

The other key change was in goal, where Walsh started a month's loan from Bradford as stand-in for broken thumb victim Mark Schwarzer.

Walsh was scarcely tested in an opening spell which was high on commitment but low on quality.

City keeper Nicky Weaver was only marginally busier, racing from his line to save at the feet of Mustoe, then gathering at the second attempt after Joseph-Desire Job unleashed a 25-yarder which lacked the angle to pose any real problem.

Boro skipper Paul Ince, substituted against Everton and given a dressing-down by Robson, had a point to prove to his manager.

But in his eagerness to impress, the former Manchester United star delivered a less than precise ball, intended for Keith O'Neill, which flew into touch much to the delight of the mocking home fans.

A niggly passage in the game then began when O'Neill was booked for dissent for disputing the award of a free-kick.

City were forced to make a change when Danny Tiatto took over from Gerard Wiekens in the 33rd minute.

And Boro looked lucky not to concede two penalties in the space of seven minutes.

First, Gavin practically wrestled Tiatto to the ground in the 35th minute, then Weah was pulled back by Colin Cooper as he attempted to get on the end of Mark Kennedy's free-kick.

In between those incidents, Campbell trundled a shot wide for Boro before Wanchope was cautioned for slapping Gavin on the back of the head after the pair tangled.

But Wanchope broke free as half-time approached when he shook off O'Neill to hammer a low angled drive which Walsh got down to save at his near post.

As tempers started to fray, Cooper became the third player booked after blatantly blocking Wanchope.

Robson may have splashed out close to £10m in the summer, but when Hamilton Ricard replaced Job at the start of the second half, Boro's outfield line up was entirely comprised of players who were with the club last season.

Weah, one of City's key close-season captures and back in the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score in the 3-2 defeat at Liverpool, almost grabbed his second goal for the club six minutes into the second half.

The former World Footballer of the Year spun 20 yards out and powered a right-foot shot narrowly over the bar.

But Boro took a shock lead when Festa escaped marker Wanchope to head home Campbell's right-wing corner.

Boro survived renewed penalty appeals three minutes later when Festa and Wanchope were matched up again.

The Boro defender appeared to climb all over Wanchope, but referee Stephen Lodge was unimpressed.

Gavin and Tiatto were booked for fouls and Ricard was yellow-carded for dissent before City hit back.

Tiatto lifted the ball into the box and Wanchope was adjudged to be onside as he hooked the ball beyond the advancing Walsh.

Four minutes later, Walsh produced the first of his two magnificent saves to keep Boro in the game.

Weah met Kennedy's left-wing corner with a mighty header, but Walsh tipped it over at full stretch.

The next stop was arguably better still, Jeff Whitley thumping a right-foot shot which Walsh touched on to his near post.

Not for the first time in his career, Ince's short fuse cost him when he was booked for dissent, furiously protesting his innocence after it was clear to all and sundry that he was guilty of a late challenge on Whitley.

Paul Dickov, who had replaced Weah in the 73rd minute, fired over before the fingertips of Walsh defied City again, this time from Wanchope's low, near post effort.

MANCHESTER CITY

(4-4-2):

Weaver 7;

Haaland 7,

Prior 7,

Howey 7,

Ritchie 6;

Jeff Whitley 7,

Wiekens 6

(Tiatto 33 mins, 7),

Horlock 6

(Bishop 59 mins, 7),

Kennedy 7;

WANCHOPE 8,

Weah 7

(Dickov 73 mins).

Sub (not used): Crooks, Wright (gk).

MIDDLESBROUGH

(5-2-3):

WALSH 8;

Fleming 6,

Festa 7,

Gavin 6,

Cooper 6,

O'Neill 6;

Mustoe 7,

Ince 6;

Deane 6,

Job 6

(Ricard 46 mins, 6),

Campbell 6

(Whelan 84 mins).

Subs (not used): Gordon, Summerbell,

Bennion (gk).

Goals

Festa (55 mins, 0-1); Wanchope (67, 1-1).

Bookings

O'Neill, Ricard, Ince (dissent); Wanchope (unsporting behaviour); Cooper, Gavin, Tiatto (fouls).

Referee

Stephen Lodge (Barnsley).

Attendance

32,053.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Gary Walsh - kept Boro alive.