Football: Robson clings to unbeaten record

Middlesbrough . . 2

Sunderland . . . .2

THE notion that Bryan Robson has arrived on Teesside to perform miracles will gain credence after this. Middlesbrough clung to their unblemished record under the guidance of their new player- manager yesterday but only by their fingernails.

With 12 minutes remaining, the prospect of the First Division leaders remaining unbeaten seemed to belong to the 'when hell freezes over' category, but no team led by Robson is likely to run up the white flag. In an exciting climax out of keeping with what had gone before, they managed to secure a draw. Captain Marvel had donned the guise of Harry Houdini.

Sunderland, casting aside their role as underdogs, were cheerfully contemplating their first win at Middlesbrough since 1962 when Alan Moore burst past Richard Ord on the edge of the area and lashed a shot past Tony Norman.

That was a jolt enough for the Rokermen but what followed was even worse when Nigel Pearson headed in from close range in the 81st minute after Steve Vickers had headed back Neil Cox's corner from the left. Improbably Boro nearly won it a minute later but John Hendrie hit his shot into the side netting after he had been put clear.

'Some teams would have given up when it became 2-0,' Viv Anderson, Robson's assistant, said, 'but you have to give the team credit for sticking to their task. We're delighted with the results.'

He was smiling as he said it and well he should have been because Sunderland, who are the only other unbeaten First Division team, were the better side for much of the match.

Phil Gray gave notice of the visitors' ability to surprise when he hit a post in the 24th minute. The reprieve lasted only 13 minutes as Sunderland's Craig Russell scored an excellent goal, twisting Clayton Blackmore inside out before beating Miller from the left corner of the area.

After 54 minutes, Russell made it 2-0 when he maintained his run on the far side of the area and was rewarded by Pearson and Miller making a hash of Gary Owers' cross. Goalkeeper and defender played 'after you' and the Sunderland left winger was left with an open net to aim at.

That should have been decisive but Brian Clough was the scorer of the winning goal the last time the Wear had the better on the Tees and they were overwhelmed by a river of late home attacks. For Sunderland you win some, you Ayresome.

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Miller; Cox, Vickers, Pearson, Fleming; Blackmore (Hignett, h-t), Pollock, Robson, Moore; Hendrie, Wilkinson. Substitutes not used: Mustoe, Roberts (gk).

Sunderland (4-4-2): Norman; Kubicki, Ball, Melville, Ord; Owers, Atkinson (Cunnington, 45), Ferguson, Russell (Michael Gray, 87); Goodman, P Gray. Substitute not used: Chamberlain (gk).

Referee: J Rushton (Stoke-on-Trent).