GARY MEGSON was pleased with Wanderers' performance today as they secured their second win in succession after they endured a tough first-half against Middlesbrough.

The hosts could have taken an early lead but for the excellent goalkeeping from Ali Al Habsi.

Wanderers rode the storm and came out in the second half looking the much better team.

And their persistence paid off on the hour mark when Gavin McCann netted the only goal of the game after Gary Cahill's powerful header was saved by Ross Turnbull.

The Wanderers manager said: "We set off really poorly and were fortunate to come into the dressing room at half-time 0-0. Ali Al Habsi made three remarkable saves to keep us in it.

"They are a good side at the Riverside and always make it difficult for teams.

"When you get to this part of the season there are many things you have to do. Today was a real test of character and the players stepped up to the challenge."

Megson praised the goalscorer, whose man-of-the-match performance was rewarded with the goal.

He added: "Gavin has done well in the last couple of games, and it just wasn't his goal today - he covered a lot of ground."

More than 2,000 fans made the journey to Teeside, leaving the Wanderers manager to pay tribute to them.

"The away support today was absolutely magnificent," he said. "Before the game kicked off we could hear them and especially all the way through the game they were singing and pushing the players on. It's a massive boost to take so many people away from home and they played a really important part in the result."