Middlesbrough defender Steve Vickers was sent off for head-butting Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury as this crucial First Division encounter boiled over towards the end of the first half at the Riverside Stadium last night.

Boro manager Bryan Robson had to be shepherded away from referee Alan Wiley by stewards at the half-time whistle, after racing down onto the pitch to protest.

It came three minutes into injury time - after Alun Armstrong had given promotion-chasing Boro the lead and after one of several flare-ups between both sides.

The tone was set within 13 seconds when Paul Gascoigne fouled City midfielder Michael Brown. Jamie Pollock exacted revenge by fouling Gascoigne in the fourth minute.

Players from both sides then became involved in an 18th minute fracas after a terrible challenge by Brown on Ricard. The referee booked both Townsend and Pollock, before Brown's name went into his book for the original challenge.

Seconds later Curtis Fleming became the fourth player booked for a late challenge on Jeff Whitley. The atmosphere heated up even further when Margetson appeared to trip Ricard in the penalty box, only for the Staffordshire official to wave play on.

The incident was soon forgotten when Armstrong gave Boro the lead after brilliant play by Gascoigne two minutes before the break. The England midfielder floated over a left-foot cross to the far post, where Armstrong blasted home.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Maddison, Fleming, Vickers, Festa, Townsend, Mustoe, Gascoigne (Hignett 57), Branca (Ricard 16), Merson, Armstrong, Ricard (Blackmore 45). Sent off: Vickers (45). Booked: Fleming, Townsend, Blackmore. Goals: Armstrong 43.

Manchester City: Margetson, Edghill, Horlock, Jeff Whitley (Rosler 45), Symons, Vaughan, Jim Whitley, Pollock, Goater, Brown (Brannan 81), Bradbury, Rosler (Bishop 54). Booked: Pollock, Brown.

Referee: A G Wiley (Burntwood).