Middlesbrough 1 Rovers 2

[Alan75]

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Davies, Riggott, Wheater, Taylor, Sanli (Johnson 85), Arca (Cattermole 88), Boateng, Downing, Yakubu, Aliadiere (Lee 84).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Hines.

Booked: Wheater, Boateng, Downing.

Goals: Downing 31.

Rovers: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Dunn (Mokoena 90), Savage, Pedersen, McCarthy (Santa Cruz 60), Roberts (Derbyshire 78).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Tugay

Booked: Pedersen, Samba, Savage, Derbyshire.

Goals: Santa Cruz 63, Derbyshire 79.

Att: 25,058.

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

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A goals for substitutes Matt Derbyshire and Santa Cruz on his Premiership debut gave Rovers all three points in a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough this afternoon, after the Riversiders had taken a first half lead.

Boro took the lead through a Stewart Downing free-kick when the wall failed to protect Friedel, however worst was to come when Benni McCarthy was stretchered off midway through the second half.

However substitute Santa Cruz on for the injured McCarthy rose majestically like a salmon to power home David Bentley cross and provide Rovers with an equaliser.

Then things got even better when Derbyshire who had just come on for Roberts put Rovers into the lead with a brilliantly goal with his first touch of the ball, he curled his shot round Schwarzer and into the top corner.

Thankfully, Benni McCarthy's injury wasnt as bad as first though, and was been released from hospital.

The game was held up for 6 minutes to allow treatement to the Rovers striker who left the pitch on a stretcher and wearing a neck brace. after he collapsed after a clash of heads.

A Rovers spokesman said: "Benni looks to be okay, he went to hospital but he's out now and will travel home with the team."

Mark Hughes added: "We got word when we were in the dressing room that he is okay.

"There was a concern when he went off - after the initial impact he was able just to walk off and then he passed out.

"There was genuine concern at seeing a player being taken off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace."