CATCH the minute-by-minute match action from Ewood Park as a Dwight Yorke goal secures a valuable victory over Middlesborough.

A good start to the New Year for Rovers - lets hope they continue to improve.

Full time Rovers 1 Boro 0

16:50: Three minutes of stoppage time will played - as Rovers have a free kick 20 yards out. Tugay takes it low and hard and nearly gets Rovers second.

16:47: With only stoppage time to play Boro make another charge again undoing the Rovers defence - the final cross was poor and it remains 1-0 to Rovers.

16:44: A break by Boro nearly sees them score as the Rovers defence was caught napping - however a scuffed shot from Windass saved the day.

16:42: Souness runs down the clock by making his last change - Yorke makes way for Ostenstad.

16:41: With little over 5 mins remaining the game has calmed down with Boro seeming to have given into defeat and offering little in the way entertainment.

16:38: 10 mins to go Rovers remain a goal to the good.

16:36: Boro make a rare run into the Rovers half but there is one pass too many and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

Boro make thier final change bringing on Windass for Job.

16:34: Rovers make a change and swap McEveley for Todd.

16:33: Gillespie gives the Rovers strikers a perfect chance to increase the lead by beating his marker and crossing across the face of goal - however neither Cole or Yorke could make contact.

16:31: Boro makes their second change as Nemeth comes on for Maccarone.

16:30: 20 mins to go and it remains Rovers 1 Boro 0

Can Rovers hold or even increase their lead.

16:29: Rovers have a free kick 25 yards out after McEveley is brought down.

Thompson takes the freekick - it gets through the wall but saved.

16:26: Cole nearly makes it two as he shows his skill in the 18 yard box to beat two defenders try a passing shot around the keeper - he is denied however by a good save from Schwarzer

16:24: 25 mins to go and Rovers have the lead from a Dwight Yorke goal.

16:21: The game has definitly shifted in favour of Rovers as they continue to pile on the pressure - but come back on the break and test the Rovers defence.

16:19: The first attack after the re-start sees Rovers again push forward and find their feet. Thompson and Cole team and the ball is laid of to McEveley, who hits a thunderous shoot from 20 yards only to be beaten by the crossbar.

16:17: After a period of good attacking play Rovers the ball pops up in front of Yorke for him to slot home and give Rovers the lead.

Rovers 1 Boro 0

16:16: Dwight Yorke scores for Rovers!

16:14: Neill nearly scores as he is given room 20 yards out - his shot, though weak, takes a deflection and dribbles inches past the post and a stranded keeper.

16:13: Rovers 0 Boro 0 and as yet nothing for the 23,413 fans to get really excited about.

16:12: 5 mins in and all the play has been from Rovers, they seem dertimed to get a result from the game.

Tugay fouls Job, but after a handshake and quiet word from the ref the game continues.

16:09: Souness takes on a new role as ball has the games quietens down after the initial flurry of activity.

16:08: After a good spell of crosses and near shots the ball finally falls to Flitcroft in space - he shoots but straight into row z.

16:06: Souness half time has had some affect as Rovers start the stronger with a couple of good surging runs.

16:05: The teams come out for the second half with Rovers making a switch - Gillespie comes on for Danns.

The ref blows his whistle and Rovers get the seond 45 mins underway.

15:46: Half time Rovers 0 Boro 0

As Souness leaves his seat in the executive box he must be thinking of making a change - and perhaps tkaing his seat on the touchline.

15:43: 2 mins till half time and both sides seem content to settle for the current score line.

15:42: Rovers responed and have their best attempt on goal - Cole is played in on the left and forces Schwarzer to make a good save.

Somebody has light a firecracker under Rovers in the last 5 mins and it seems to be working as they continue to attack.

15:40: Boro come the closest to scoring as Friedel is left stranded at the near post as the ball is knocked across the face of goal - all it needs is a tap but nobody was there and the chance is wasted.

15:37: Rovers best move of the game comes as McEveley runs down the left cuts inside and passes to Cole, he's about to shoot but passes to Yorke. He is quickly closed down and the attack is ended.

The crowd voice their disapproval - Cole should have shot first time.

15:32: Rovers manage to break after being pinned back in the last 30, but Danns and Neill get in a muddle and give Boro back the possession.

15:28: 30 mins gone - Rovers 0 Boro 0

The old sayings are the best and what this game needs is a goal!

15:27: Corner to Rovers, out of nowhere they get a free kick which gets knocked over, however the corner is wasted.

15:25: At present the game has the making of being a goaless affair - both teams are showing no signs of ball control or the desire to score.

Rovers 0 Boro 0

15:21: Boro take a free kick quickly and spread the play wide but it comes to nothing and they are forced back. Rovers are struggling to keep control of the ball let alone possession.

15:18: Nearly 20 mins gone and the score remains goaless.

15:17: It's end to end stuff at the moment with Boros defence holding up the better - Rovers would appear to be missing Short.

15:15: Yet again Yorke and Cole try to team up but the ball wouldn't sit for them - Cole is brought down, the ref plays on as Thompson gets the ball and shoots wide.

15:14: Y

15:13: A good move by Rovers sees McEveley play a cross field ball to Danns who passes to Yorke, he comes in side and around the defender but the ball gets away and out for a goal kick.

15:11: Boro have the first this afternoons chances and nearly take the lead, but Jobs shot is saved by Friedel.

Rovers responed with a shot from Yorke coming close.

15:09: 10 mins in and the score remains goaless. Both teams look like they celebrated the New Year in excess.

15:08: Boro prepare to make a change Vidmar is coming on for Ehiogu who left the field holding his ribs.

15:06: Friedel gets the ball back after throwing it out for the trainer to come. Boro are currently down to 10 men - can Rovers take advantage.

15:05: Boro on the break win a corner as Taylor gets back. The corner is cleared but straight to Boro, there's a goalmouth scramble and Ehiogu hits the deck.

15:03: It's taken by Queudrue over the ball and just wide of the upright

15:02: Straight away Boro push forward urged on by their fans. Free kick to Boro 25 yards as Job is brought down.

15:00: Todays referee, D Pugh, gets the game underway Boro with kicking off.

14:54: Rovers v Middlesborough, Wednesday 1st January 2003, KO 3.00pm

Today's Teams

Rovers - Friedel, Neill, Tugay, Flitcroft, Cole, Johansson, Yorke, Thompson, Taylor, McEveley, Danns. Subs: Todd, Dunn, Gillespie, Ostenstad, Kelly.

Boro - Schwarzer, Queddrue, Ehiogu, southgate, maccarone, Boksic, Greening, Geremi, Job, Wilson, Parnaby. Subs: Nemeth, Vidmar, Windass, Wilkshire, Crossley.