Middlesbrough were gifted a dream start when Habib Beye unluckily turned the ball into his own net after just three minutes following a superb turn by Tuncay Sanli whose shot was saved.

However the lead lasted just six minutes before local hero Steven Taylor thundered home a towering header from Danny Guthrie's right-wing corner.

In a pulsating local derby, Obafemi Martins fired Newcastle ahead for the first time in two months - and just 55 seconds after coming off the bench for Michael Owen. He slipped as he shot but the ball squirted into the net to give the Magpies a crucial advantage on 70 minutes.

Four minutes from time, another substitute Peter Lovenkrands wrapped up the priceless points lashing home unmarked from 10 yards.

Newcastle's first win under Alan Shearer lifted them out of the bottom three on goal difference ahead of Hull City who dropped into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

The crushing defeat leaves local rivals Boro three points adrift of safety with just two matches remaining.

For an in-depth match report, click here.