Middlesbrough 2 Crystal Palace 1: Mowbray's calm approach points Boro towards comeback triumph

The new boss collected his first win in charge of Boro thanks to Tarmo Kink's strike and a stoppage-time own-goal from Palace's Patrick McCarthy after Pablo Counago's first-half goal had put the Eagles ahead.

The victory put three points between Boro and bottom club Palace.

Mowbray says he did not lose his temper at the break, rather telling his players to believe in themselves. "The lads were a bit down at half-time because it was very disappointing to have worked so hard and be behind," said Mowbray. "But there was no shouting and bawling and no finger pointing.

"I just talked to them and told them they were a good side and that they had to go out and have belief in their own abilities. They did that and it showed.

"I was pleased for them in the second half because they were better, brighter and we got a few breaks.

"I was delighted for them and delighted for the supporters because they showed belief and got behind us too."

Mowbray called on his struggling team to build on the confidence-lifting victory.

He added: "We have that win under our belt now and I hope that will help rebuild the confidence so we can start getting results. Our next target is to get back-to-back wins and push ourselves back into the pack. We need to find that consistency because when you are down there and win a game, if you lose the next one you are right back down at the bottom."

Middlesbrough: Steele, McMahon, Wheater, McManus (Bailey 39), Bennett, Luke Williams (Kink 71), Bates, Thomson, Arca, McDonald, Boyd (Lita 46). Unused substitutes: Ripley, Hoyte, Smallwood, Tavares.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Clyne, McCarthy, Barrett, Wright (N'Diaye 90), Ambrose, Danns (Dorman 74), Marrow, Garvan, Counago (Zaha 59), Vaughan. Unused substitutes: Mann, Andrew, Djilali, Obika.

Referee: M Haywood (W Yorkshire).

Man of the match: Tarmo Kink.