BORO cruised past the Tigers with a convincing win which lifted them to fourth place in the league.

A burst water tank at their usual Billingham Synthonia ground meant the game being switched to MFC Community Centre's Herlingshaw pitch at late notice.

Hull arrived with only 11 players but although Boro won the game, they had to work hard for it. 

The first goal came in the eighth minute after a quick break by Stacey Cutler. She played a great ball into the path of Nicky Duckling, who controlled the ball well and finished with a strong shot past the keeper.

On a difficult, bumpy pitch, Boro's control was sometimes poor and their passing wasn't the best, so the game was a little scrappy at times.

However, they had several chances to go further ahead with Cutler, Duckling and Laville all squandering good opportunities.

Hull equalised on the half-hour mark when a long ball over the top caused problems in Boro's defence and as a result two Hull City players were left clear in the penalty area, leaving Boro's keeper Ami Bullen with no chance of saving.

Just three minutes later Boro regained the lead, again with a good flowing move, as Becky Hanratty coolly slipped the ball past Hull's keeper.

In the 42nd minute Leanne Hawxwell hit the crossbar with a fine header, then Amy Laville also went close at the far post.

At the start of the second half Kate Foster replaced Duckling and Jess Close moved up front with Cutler.

Again Boro wasted chances and it wasn't until the 60th minute that they scored their third goal when Stacey Cutler went past two defenders and finished with a great left-foot lob over the keeper.

Lindsay Stephenson came on to replace Hawxwell and 10 minutes later Becky O'Brien made her first league appearance for the team, after more than six months out of action.

Hull kept battling on, but couldn't prevent a fourth Boro goal in the 82nd minute when Jess Close beat the keeper to a through-ball and chipped a goal from just outside the penalty area.

Just before the end Boro's Gemma Gibson suffered a suspected broken bone in her right foot, which took the shine off the win a little.

Next week Boro travel to play Leeds City Vixens, who are currently in third place in the league, just above Boro