Football: Middlesbrough put on a show

Nationwide Round-up

Middlesbrough's steady rise from mid-table anonymity earlier in the season to genuine promotion challengers has taken a month - a measure of the tightness of the First Division this season - and they looked impressive again against Norwich City at Carrow Road.

It took Iwan Roberts' first goal since his move from Wolves to wake up Boro but they looked good as goals by Mikkel Beck, Paul Merson, released from the England squad to play, and Anthony Ormerod kept them in fourth place, three points behind the leaders.

Swindon Town became former leaders of the Division when they lost 4-2 at Stockport County, Alun Armstrong scoring twice for County. Sixth-placed Charlton kept up their solid run with a 3-2 win over Crewe at The Valley. Crewe trailed 2-0 but recovered to 2-2 only for Matt Holmes to score a late winner.

Third-placed West Brom staged a second half recovery at Vale Park yesterday where Port Vale had gone ahead through through Lee Mills. Lone striker Andy Hunt started Albion's fight back with his tenth goal of the season and they won 2-1. "Were too meek in defending and this cost us the match," Vale's angry manager John Rudge said. Portsmouth fans again chanted for the sacking of manager Terry Fenwick as Pompey went down 4-1 at home to Sunderland.