Middlesbrough made a successful start to the defence of the Carling Cup with an easy win over Coventry City.
Carlo Nash made a rare senior appearance in goal for Boro and defender Andrew Davies made a comeback after a seven-month absence with a broken leg. The Sky Blues were in desperate need of a cup win following a disappointing run in the league.
The visitors suffered an early blow when Slovakian Szilard Nemeth put Middlesbrough ahead in the third minute.
Ironically goalkeeper Luke Steele, who has been in brilliant recent form, gifted the goal when he slapped at the ball.
Middlesbrough maintained the pressure and teenager James Morrison had the satisfaction of scoring his first goal at the Riverside Stadium in the 25th minute.
Morrison, who scored Middlesbrough's first goal on foreign soil in a recent UEFA cup match, headed home a left-wing Colin Cooper cross.
Steele was again at fault when he failed to cut out the cross.
Andy Morrell headed over the bar for Coventry who were largely ineffective.
Middlesbrough sent on sub Daniel Graham for Stewart Downing after the break.
Graham, another promising youngster from the club's successful academy put Middlesbrough further ahead after 75 minutes.
The sub collected a Doriva pass and gave Steele no chance with a 20-yard shot into a corner of the net.
It took Coventry an hour to have their first shot at goal through Stephen Hughes and they could have no complaints over the scoreline.