ALAN SHEARER marked his first start in six months with a double strike as Newcastle piled on the agony for beleaguered Boro boss Steve McClaren.

The Magpies came from behind against ten-man Boro to storm to victory after home keeper Mark Schwarzer had been sent off in the 31st minute for bringing down the goalbound Laurent Robert.

Skipper Shearer, back after career-saving knee surgery, converted the resultant spot-kick to counter Colin Cooper's third-minute opener for Boro.

But the Teessiders spurned a great chance to regain the lead five minutes before the break after keeper Shay Given had fallen into a similar trap to Schwarzer when challenging Boro skipper Paul Ince.

Given, however, escaped with a booking and comfortably saved Jonathan Greening's tame spot-kick.

Nikos Dabizas put Newcastle ahead on the hour from Robert's superb left-wing centre and the £10m French winger grabbed his first goal for his new club two minutes later when he capitalised on Steve Vickers' miskick to break clear and round sub keeper Mark Crossley.

Then, in the 77th minute, Robert picked out Shearer, who rifled a rising shot into the roof of the net to seal McClaren's fourth defeat in as many matches as Boro boss.