ON A NIGHT when a Teesside legend returned to the Riverside and the dugout, it was one of Boro’s local lads who set Michael Carrick’s side on their way to a most important victory.

After the weekend defeat at Portsmouth saw Boro fall out of the top six, Michael Carrick insisted the league table wasn’t a concern. But even if the standings don’t matter to the head coach at this stage, the mood surely must. And there’s been growing frustration on Teesside in recent weeks after a run of just one win in six games.

But Hayden Hackney’s first half blockbuster from distance and a fine late second goal from Ben Doak was enough to see off Tony Mowbray’s West Brom on Tuesday night, a first home win in five. It’s nothing that hasn’t been said before, but this must be a start and a springboard for Boro, who are back up to fifth in the table.

It was a night that provided Boro with two reminders. Firstly, of the importance of Aidan Morris. Back in the starting XI for the first time in three months, the midfielder showed what Boro have been missing, snapping into tackles, protecting the defence and allowing Hackney more freedom in front.

And secondly, just how much of a boost it would be if Doak was to see out the season at the Riverside. He was contained for the most part by the Baggies but still came up with a moment of magic to seal the victory and avoid a nervous finale.

It wasn’t spectacular by any means. Boro were the better team in the first half but had some nervy spells in the second when the Baggies started to ask questions, with Mason Holgate coming closest for the visitors when his header hit the post. Crucially, though, they dug deep and although Albion improved after the break, Boro prevented the visitors from finding real momentum. A confidence building clean sheet was important after more points were added to the long list of those thrown away at Fratton Park last time out.

Having watched as a Boro fan from the stands and seen how vulnerable Carrick’s side have been at home of late, Mowbray will have fancied his chances of starting his second spell as West Brom boss with a positive result. It wasn’t to be, but how heartwarming it was to see the 61-year-old back in the dugout after his battle with bowel cancer.

As Mowbray looked to the right before kick-off, he was greeted by a banner in the South Stand: “You won the biggest battle of them all.”

On what had the feel of a crucial night for Boro, preparations were disrupted by Ipswich Town’s surprise decision to recall George Edmundson from his loan. The call, which came late in the afternoon, was on the back of unsuccessful negotiations between the two clubs to make his stay at the Riverside permanent.

Perhaps Ipswich wanted to flex their muscle by recalling the centre-half. But the problem for the Tractor Boys is the fact Edmundson, who is out of contract at Portman Road at the end of the season, is unable to play for any other club this season having already worn the blue of Ipswich and red of Boro. Will he wear the red of Boro again? Time will tell whether negotiations will continue, but his exit meant a return to the side for Luke Ayling against the Baggies and Rav van den Berg moving back inside to partner Dael Fry.

And the sorely missed Morris was back in the midfield, making his first start since the thumping of Luton early in November. Boro only won two of their six home games in Morris’ absence, and the concerning recent run of form had seen Carrick’s side drop out of the top six prior to the visit of their rivals.

Hackney has played his best football this season with Morris alongside him, and it was the Teessider who fired the hosts into the lead just before the half-hour mark.

It was a reward for a willingness to have a crack from distance, rather than the patient probing that has too often got Boro nowhere at home this season. After receiving the ball from Neto Borges, Hackney took a touch before lashing a dipping drive into the far corner beyond the reach of Alex Palmer.

Without creating a string of clear cut chances, Boro had looked the more likely before the opener. An Ayling cross was well cleared, an Azaz shot well blocked and Latte Lath fired over after Hackey’s cut-back. And they were visibly buoyed after Hackney’s goal, creating two further openings for Latte Lath, who first went for the spectacular when he acrobatically volleyed Ayling’s cross before failing to make contact with Borges’ fine delivery from the left.

West Brom didn’t manage a single shot on target in the first half but how often this season have Boro had a firm grip on a game only to let it slip through their fingers. It was crucial they saw this through.

The signs weren’t convincing at the start of the second half when West Brom started asking questions and Boro dropped deeper. There was one let-off when the unmarked Mikey Johnston skewed a volley wide before Holgate climbed high to meet a cross from the right and his header bounced off the far post to the relief of Glover, who looked to be slow in getting down. There was an understandable anxiousness in the Riverside as West Brom grew in confidence.

But Boro negotiated that spell and managed to wrestle back control. And the points were sealed seven minutes from time when Latte Lath teed up Doak, who cut in from the right and found the top corner.