BORO had to come from behind to gain a deserved share of the spoils this afternoon, writes GORDON COX at the Riverside.

Gareth Southgate named an unchanged team for the third successive game, while Justin Hoyte and Mido returned from injury to take their place on the bench.

Gianfranco Zola handed a first start of the season for 18-year-old striker Freddie Sears, while Lucas Neill, Luis Boa Morte and Jack Collison came into the starting line-up, with David Di Michele, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer dropping to the bench and Valon Behrami missing the game with injury.

The Hammers named a hugely inexperienced bench with four players not having kicked a ball in the Premier League this season.

Boro made a bright start on an afternoon which wasn't easy in terms of conditions, as heavy rain swept across the pitch assisted by a stiff breeze.

But that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of Tuncay and Afonso Alves, who combined to apply pressure on a West Ham side looking to keep a clean sheet for the first time in 24 games.

Zola seemed to have instilled in his side that attack was the best form of defence and Craig Bellamy saw plenty of the ball. But the only shot they had in the early exchanges was a wild effort from Julien Faubert which went well wide.

Sears was considerably closer with a low drive from the D on the edge of the area minutes later, before Craig Bellamy sent over a low cross from the right through the Boro penalty area and Chris Riggott produced an excellent challenge to clear from Sears.

The breakthrough came with 21 minutes played. Boro had two chances to clear from the edge of their penalty area, failed to do so and paid the price as Luis Boa Morte pulled a short pass back to Hayden Mullins.

He miss-hit his initial shot but smashed home his first goal for two seasons as a rising drive from 12 yards went in off the underside of the bar.

The visitors almost added a second four minutes later, but a 25-yard Danny Collins free-kick fizzed just wide of Ross Turnbull's right-hand post.

Boro's approach work was neat, but once they neared the goal play became disjointed and a physically stronger looking West Ham side were impressive on the break.

It wasn't until the 43rd minute that Boro had a shot on target, but Alves was stumbling as his tame effort was comfortably gathered by Rob Green.

The home side mounted a short spell of pressure entering first half injury-time, winning two corners in quick succession, Green having to be at full stretch to clear a fine right-wing cross from Downing.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 West Ham United 1

Gareth Southgate made a change during the break, replacing David Wheater with Hoyte.

The former Arsenal man made a good start as he sped off down the right and whipped in a good cross which made the United defence work. But the visitors were soon back on the offensive and Turnbull had to produce a good save to deny Sears.

Change number two for Boro came three minutes short of the hour as Julio Arca replaced Didier Digard.

When Boro won a free-kick a few yards up from the edge of the West Ham penalty area hopes were high of an Alves cracker, but the Brazilian shot horribly high and wide.

Southgate elected to make a third change and replaced Alves with Mido.

Boro stepped it up, Gary O'Neil had a low shot blocked inside the penalty area before firing high at Green from the edge of the box, forcing the goalkeeper to palm clear.

Downing dragged a low shot just wide from 20 yards and won a corner when a low shot from the left was spilled behind by Green.

Boro thought they had found a way back with 11 minutes remaining as Andrew Taylor drilled in a powerful cross and Hoyte dived to head in an excellent goal, only to see celebrations short lived by a linesman's flag. It was a very close and possibly incorrect call.

The next shot on target counted.

With 83 minutes played Boro won a free-kick on the edge of the West Ham box and Mido drilled a low shot through a parting wall, which didn't do its job.

The Egyptian almost scored another four minutes later as he cracked in a powerful drive which Green saved one-handed at his left post.

But there was almost late drama at the other end as United pressed deep in injury-time and it took two excellent saves from Ross Turnbull to deny Bellamy and Collison.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull; Wheater (Hoyte 46), Riggott, Pogatetz (Capt), Taylor, Aliadiere, O'Neil, Digard (Arca 57), Downing, Tuncay, Alves (Mido 66). Unused subs: Jones (gk); Grounds, A Johnson, Emnes.

West Ham United: Green; Neill (Capt), Upson, Collins, Ilunga, Collison, Faubert, Mullins, Boa Morte (Bowyer 85), Bellamy, Sears (Etherington 73). Unused subs: Walker, Lopez, Tristan, Tomkins, Di Michele.

Referee: Andre Marriner, West Midlands.

Bookings

Middlesbrough: Wheater, 16, foul on Boa Morte; Riggott, 33, handball. Arca, 64, foul on Collison.

West Ham: Neill, 39, foul on Aliadiere; Collison, 60, foul on Arca; Boa Morte, 80, foul on Mido; Bellamy, 90, foul on Downing.

Attendance: 25,164

Conditions: Breezy with a mixture of sunshine and showers.

Website Boro Man of the Match: Chris Riggott