NEWCASTLE UNITED
Saturday 13th March 2010
Middlesbrough v Newcastle 15.00
Wednesday 17th March 2010
Newcastle v Scunthorpe 19.45
Saturday 20th March 2010
Bristol City v Newcastle 17.20
Tuesday 23rd March 2010
Doncaster v Newcastle 19.45
Monday 29th March 2010
Newcastle v Nottm Forest 19.45
Saturday 03rd April 2010
Peterborough v Newcastle 15.00
Monday 05th April 2010
Newcastle v Sheff Utd 19.45
Saturday 10th April 2010
Newcastle v Blackpool 15.00
Tuesday 13th April 2010
Reading v Newcastle 20.00
Monday 19th April 2010
Plymouth v Newcastle 19.45
Saturday 24th April 2010
Newcastle v Ipswich 15.00
Sunday 02nd May 2010
QPR v Newcastle 13.00
BORO CURRENT FORM
Cardiff 1 Middlesbrough 0
MARCH 6: Coca-Cola Championship at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Middlesbrough 2 QPR 0
FEBRUARY 27: Coca-Cola Championship at the Riverside.
Nottingham Forest 1 Middlesbrough 0
FEBRUARY 20: Coca-Cola Championship at the City Ground.
Blackpool 2 Middlesbrough 0
FEBRUARY 16: Coca-Cola Championship at Bloomfield Road.
Middlesbrough 1 Peterborough 0
FEBRUARY 13: Coca-Cola Championship at the Riverside.
Middlesbrough 2 Barnsley 1
FEBRUARY 9: Coca-Cola Championship at the Riverside.
BORO'S LAST FIXTURE:
CARDIFF 1 BORO 0
Middlesbrough Coyne, Taylor, McManus, Wheater, Naughton,Flood (Rhys Williams 52), O'Neil, Robson, Arca, Lita,Aliadiere (Killen 40). Subs Not Used: Jones, Miller, Grounds, Bennett, Franks.
Jay Bothroyd led by example in times of need for troubled Cardiff as his eighth league goal of the season after just three minutes proved enough to see off play-off rivals Middlesbrough.
The Bluebirds captain pounced to secure a much-needed victory that will prove as crucial as any other the South Wales outfit will have this season.
And manager Dave Jones, celebrating his 100th win in charge of the club, will be relieved to finally see some positive headlines as the cash-strapped club prepare to go back to the High Court on Wednesday over their unpaid tax bill.
The result, which secures a league double over Boro, comes on the back of successive defeats which have hit the club's promotion charge.
On the balance of play it was a fair result despite a much improved second-half display from a Boro side who were well below par before the break, while both sides had reason to be unhappy with match-turning decisions made by referee Darren Deadman.
With all of Cardiff's problems - both on and off the pitch - Jones will have welcomed his side's dream start with open arms.
The ball found its way to Darcy Blake via a short corner, he chipped into the box and Gabor Gyepes was on hand to poke goalwards from where Bothroyd converted at the back post.
The hosts continued their fine start and the travelling Boro fans had to wait 20 minutes for their side to apply any sort of pressure in the final third although it failed to produce an attempt of note.
Jeremie Aliadiere was presented with a good chance to level matters for Boro in the 29th minute after a defensive mix-up between Anthony Gerrard and Adam Matthews but the Frenchman could only fire well over the bar.
Bothroyd stabbed wide at the other end as Cardiff continued to enjoy the better of the first half.
And a disappointing Boro were handed a let off just minutes before the interval as referee Deadman booked Chris Burke for diving in the area, despite his assistant appearing to flag for a penalty and the majority of those inside the Cardiff City Stadium feeling the same way.
Cardiff again started on the front foot as the game got back under way and Gavin Rae stooped to head wide with just two minutes gone.
But Leroy Lita, barely noticeable in the first half, wasted a great opportunity for Middlesbrough in the 49th minute when he headed over from six yards.
It was the home side who were this time let off the hook just before the hour mark as David Wheater appeared to head home Barry Robson's free-kick but the goal was seemingly disallowed by referee Deadman for handball, much to the annoyance of everyone in a red shirt and manager Gordon Strachan.
By now the encounter was a much more even contest with both sides creating half chances at either end as the game approached the final 15 minutes.
Cardiff keeper David Marshall was called upon to produce fine saves to deny Chris Killen and Gary O'Neil as Boro pressed, but it was Blake who came closest to a second for the hosts when he struck the crossbar with virtually the last kick of the game.