IN the race to replace Sven Goran Eriksson as England boss Charlton's Alan Curbishley stole a march on his rivals yesterday, including Steve McClaren, with the revelation he has already been interviewed for the post.

McClaren's much-changed Middlesbrough side had the chance to help redress the balance at the Valley, but it was two-goal striker, Darren Bent, who added more weight to those backing the call for Curbishley to be handed the national post.

Despite a wondergoal from Mark Viduka, which brought the scores level with nine minutes remaining, Boro were undone by the defensive frailties that appeared to have been eradicated in the last few weeks.

A run of three clean sheets and three league wins was halted when Bent was first allowed to outjump Emanuel Pogatetz for the opener and then steal in at the far post for an 86th minute winner.

McClaren was expected to ring the changes with the return UEFA Cup tie at Rome's Stadio Olimpico coming up, but nine new faces in his starting line-up would be excessive by anyone's standards.

It may not have been a case of the Boro players shaking their team-mates hands before kick-off to introduce themselves, but there were only two who retained their starting places from Thursday's side which won 1-0 against Roma - Mark Schwarzer and Pogatetz.

The sides meet again in south London a week on Thursday in an FA Cup quarter final and McClaren's starting XI for that game is unlikely to bear too much resemblance to yesterday's.

Revenge will be high on Boro's agenda after dominating most of the game and McClaren will be keen to show he has the tactical know-how to defeat a side put out by Curbishley.

If points were given for changes then Boro would have won at a canter yesterday.

A whole new midfield five replaced Thursday's four but what they lacked in guile they certainly made up for in grit with Brazilian Doriva and Ray Parlour.

One of the trio of teenagers called in, Tony McMahon, was involved in the first major incident - the victim of a lunging challenge from Bryan Hughes which brought the Addick's midfielder the first caution of the game.

The Bishop Auckland-born youngster has been a long-term injury victim this term with a dislocated shoulder, but three minutes later he limped out of the action with knee ligament damage.

Substitute Andrew Davies took over in the right back position and forced a free-kick in the 15th minute down the right wing. Adam Johnson curled the ball in low beating the lame efforts of defender and attacker alike until it reached Viduka at the far post.

The Aussie, however, failed to meet the ball with any force and his effort from eight yards was easily held by Thomas Myhre.

The former Sunderland keeper was asked to perform more athletically two minutes later when a good Boro build up gave Parlour the chance to crack and effort in on goal.

The right-footer from 20 yards appeared to be curling away from the Norwegian before he stuck out a hand to impressive turn the ball over the bar.

Myrhe was again called into action in the 22nd minute when the speedy Johnson crossed from the left for Massimo Maccarone to shoot first time and produce a smart save low to the keeper's right.

Despite the wholesale changes there appeared to be no ill-effects on McClaren's side as they dominated. Johnson was particularly effective down the left and Charlton struggled to create any chances of note.

The Easington-born 18-year-old was fearless in his desire to run at the Addicks' defence and there appeared little England right back Luke Young could do to stop him.

The third in the triumvirate of teenage talent on show, Andrew Taylor, also showed he was far from out of place at Premiership level, doing his best to support lone-striker Viduka at every opportunity.

But it was Johnson that continued to catch the eye and three minutes before the break he almost created the opener for Maccarone. The Italian sprinted on to his through ball and finished well with his right foot only to be adjudged offside by the assistant referee in a very tight decision.

The second half began in the same manner as the first finished with Johnson causing mayhem in the Charlton back-line. His young accomplice Taylor also joined in as they constantly ran at their opponents.

Darren Ambrose switched wings to help counter the threat and Young was lucky not to be booked after bringing Johnson down in the 52nd minute.

Just after the hour mark former Newcastle United midfielder Ambrose should have given the home side an undeserved lead getting on the end of Radostin Kishishev's flick header only to direct his headed effort wide.

Complacency appeared to be threatening to derail Boro's good work and McClaren replaced a tiring Parlour with the younger legs of Lee Cattermole, with the manager sensing play was swinging towards the home side.

His fears were realised in the 73rd minute. Darren Powell broke down the left and delivered the perfect cross for Bent to outjump Pogatetz and head low into the right hand corner of the net.

McClaren's last throw of the dice was to replace Maccarone with Yakubu in the 76th minute and with his first touch Boro's leading scorer put Viduka in on goal only for the former Leeds man to fire wide.

Viduka then produced a moment of magic to bring the scores level in the 81st minute.

Taking possession with his back to goal 30 yards out he held off the attentions of the Charlton defence, lost both Young and Hriedarsson with an imperious overhead flick and then let fly from 25 yards.

The volley wasn't just power, it was lifted over Myhre in the home goal who was standing off his line - a truly world class strike.

Unfortunately the Boro players must have been still celebrating five minutes later allowing Bent to steal at the far post and finish Young's cross easily from six yards.

Johnson brought a fine fingertip save from Myrhe and Yakubu wasted an opening as Boro pressed for a second equaliser, but it was Curbishley who took the honours in the battle of the England hopefuls.

Charlton Athletic 2 - 1 Middlesbrough

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