Fears of getting embroiled in a relegation battle were banished at the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Derby County to move 8 points clear of the drop zone.

Sanli Tuncay scored the only goal of the match in the 32nd minute as Derby struggled to find their rhythm though the visitors put up an improved performance in the second half as Boro withdrew into their shell to protect their one goal advantage.

After a scrappy first half hour that saw players from both the sides require physio attention, the game sprung to life in the 32nd minute when Tuncay raced forward to meet Boateng's through ball before slotting it past Roy Carroll to score his sixth goal of the season.

Derby struggled to create any real chances in the first half with the closest attempt coming from Kenny Miller who hit his shot well wide of the target. The hosts pressed forward in the second half intent on killing the game off and Jeremie Aliadiere twice went close to doubling the lead but was unable to hit the back of the net.

Boateng almost got the second goal but was denied thanks to a spectacular one handed save by Carroll as he kept his side in the hunt. Boro lifted the foot off the pedal for the final 25 minutes content with their one goal lead and were almost punished by the visitors who twice went close to getting the equalizer.

Earnshaw had the best chance of getting the equalizer late in the game when he rose high to meet Hossam Ghaly's cross but wastefully headed wide of the target from close range while Miller failed to put the finishing touches to a swift counter attack, shooting straight into the waiting arms of Mark Schwarzer.