AFTER the bitter taste of a second successive Coca-Coal Cup final defeat against Chelsea a month before, Boro were determined to cement their promotion to the top flight with a victory over Oxford United.

With leaders Nottingham Forest already crowned champions, Boro knew three points against the Us would guarantee an immediate return to the Premier League.

After a nervy first half, the game came to life just two minutes after the break as Alun Armstrong scored two quick-fire goals to calm the nerves of the Boro faithful.

It was then left to crowd favourite Craig Hignett to crown proceedings with a farewell double. Hignett was to leave the club to join Aberdeen under the Bosman ruling but he struck twice in six minutes to ensure Boro's return to the big time, much to the delight of the then record 30,228 crowd.