Wanderers Res 3, Middlesbrough Res 0

AKINORI Nishizawa produced a touch of class to put Wanderers on their way to a convincing victory over Middlesbrough at the Reebok last night.

Sam Allardyce was elsewhere on a scouting mission but he would surely have got the message loud and clear by now. The Japan international, who has still to make his mark in the Premiership, is determined to keep knocking on the door.

Ably assisted by Dean Holdsworth, he rode the blows from an uncompromising Boro defence to make his mark in the 34th minute when he delivered a exquisite chip to leave Marlon Beresford stranded.

It was no more than the Wanderers second string deserved after seeing Holdsworth and Jermaine Johnson go close in what developed into a one-sided affair.

David Norris was twice denied by Beresford before Jeff Smith raced from inside his own half to confirm Wanderers superiority with a gem of a solo goal on 69 minutes and three minutes later Nishizawa paved the way for Holdsworth to score the goal he deserved for a hard working performance.

With young defenders Martin Moran, Danny Livesey and Nicky Hunt turning in solid, determined performances, the Boro attack led by Dean Windass had to wait until the 82nd minute before seriously testing Jani Viander, who was making his debut in the Bolton goal after arriving at the Reebok on loan from HJK Helsinki.

The Finland international did well to get a hand to Craig Dove's overhead kick then in injury time denied the same player when he intercepted a stray pass from Norris.

Wanderers: Viander, Moran, Livesey, Hunt, Taylor (Buchanan 61), Southall, Johnson, Norris, Smith, Nishizawa, Holdsworth.

Boro: Beresford, Close (Downing 70), Bernhardt (Gulliver 84), Hudson, Gavin, Festa, Wilson, Stamp, Job (Dove 70), Windass, Kikgannon.