A first-half goal from Tuncay saw Middlesbrough move eight points clear of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Derby at the Riverside.

The Turkish striker grabbed the goal just after the half-hour mark, but Derby could have nicked a point five minutes from time when Robert Earnshaw headed a great chance wide.

However, that was pretty much the only chance that Paul Jewell's team created in another poor performance by the Championship bound side.

Middlesbrough dominated possession throughout and deservedly took the lead when Tuncay was sprung free down the left after a good quick pass from George Boateng.

The Turk front man, who was paired up front with Jeremie Aliadiere as £12 million pound man Afonso Alves was again left out, then cut in from the left before drilling a low shot beyond Roy Carroll from 18 yards out.

Before that moment Middlesbrough enjoyed pretty much all of the play with their best early chance coming when Tuncay headed a corner goalbound; it then looked as if David Wheater would turn it in from just a couple of yards out but Carroll did well to bat the ball away.

Boro also had a couple of decent penalty shouts in the first-half; Stewart Downing felt he should have had a spot-kick as he was challenged while lining up a shot and Dean Leacock was lucky to escape when he conspired to fire a clearance off his own hand.

There would be a third big shout for a Boro penalty in the second half as Jay McEveley tripped Gary O'Neil in the box but referee Martin Atkinson wrongly decided that the challenge was just outside the box.

Boro continued to dominate but couldn't double their advantage; Aliadiere was guilty of fluffing a couple of half-chances and Carroll made a superb save to tip over a stunning half-volley effort from Boateng that was from all of 35 yards out.

As the snow started to fall down on the Riverside, Derby gradually edged their way back into the match but when their big chance came they couldn't convert.

A header from Eddie Lewis was kept in play superbly by Andy Todd as the defender managed to chip the ball across the face of the goal.

Earnshaw looked all set to head home from just six yards out but the Welsh striker then inexplicably headed wide.

After that, Boro were able to see out the match, and while it wasn't their best performance of the season, it edges them closer to Premier League safety.

Seán Fay / Eurosport