West Brom 0-2 Middlesbrough

Hasselbaink (l) took his tally to 12 goals for the season

Middlesbrough's strikers proved the difference as they got the better of 10-man West Brom.

Two first-half Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink strikes eased Boro's relegation fears just three days after they booked a place in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup.

Hasselbaink drilled Boro ahead and doubled their lead with a deflected free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

The Baggies, who lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, had Nigel Quashie dismissed for foul play on 54 minutes.

Both teams were desperate to get a win under their belts to help drag themselves away from the relegation mire and they made their attentions clear from the off in a lively start which produced chances at either end.

Yakubu had a clear sight of goal in the opening minute when Chris Riggott's nod down found the Nigerian forward - but he failed to get his header on target from close-range.

West Brom were equally bright at the other end as Martin Albrechtsen whipped a dangerous ball into the penalty area which evaded the Baggies' front line and Neil Clement's 25-yard free-kick was well held by Mark Schwarzer.

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But it was the visitors who took the lead following clever play between Gaizka Mendieta and Yakubu.

Yakubu played a perfect pass through for Hasselbaink who charged through on goal to drill the ball under the body of Tomasz Kuszczak.

The Baggies did not let their heads drop and exerted much pressure on Boro's back four as Diomansy Kamara saw his close-range effort charged down before Jonathan Greening dragged his follow-up wide of the post.

The Baggies deserved to go into the break all square but Boro delivered a cruel blow on the stroke of half-time by doubling their advantage when Hasselbaink's free-kick took a huge deflection off Ronnie Wallwork to wrong-foot Kuszczak.

Rather than feel sorry for themselves, Bryan Robson's side continued to take the game to Boro after the restart and Quashie almost reduced the deficit with a header but Schwarzer was equal to it.

But the former Southampton man was shown a straight red card minutes later for foul play when frustration appeared to take over and Quashie kicked into the back of George Boateng.

Despite West Brom being faced with an uphill climb to get something out of the game, Greening flashed a 20-yard effort that drifted wide of the post and Kanu saw his low effort from close-range again saved by Schwarzer.

And while the hosts' work ethic could not be questioned, a lack of a killer touch in front of goal proved their downfall.

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West Brom boss Bryan Robson:

"I thought we were the better team, passed the ball around but we weren't clinical enough.

"I thought we deserved to get at least a goal out of the game but when you defend like we did for the first goal, you're going to get beaten.

"Their second goal was just a bit of good fortune before the break."

Boro boss Steve McClaren:

"We had a blip against Aston Villa a couple of weeks ago but we've shored up our defence and that's been our platform.

"We had stubborn defending, played good football and Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Yakubu upfront delivered for us.

"There's a great feeling in the dressing room. We're still in the FA Cup and Uefa Cup and on a good run."

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West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen (Inamoto 81), Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Wallwork, Quashie, Kamara, Campbell (Kozak 58), Kanu (Ellington 81).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Martinez.

Sent Off: Quashie (54).

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Queudrue, Riggott, Southgate, Parnaby, Mendieta (Davies 80), Cattermole, Boateng, Pogatetz, Hasselbaink (Maccarone 72), Yakubu (Viduka 88).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Ehiogu.

Booked: Southgate, Cattermole.

Goals: Hasselbaink 17, 44.

Att: 24,061

Ref: M Dean (Wirral).