STEVE McCLAREN was last night delighted that his Middlesbrough side overcame the Bryan Robson factor to climb into a Champions League place in the Premiership.

A West Brom team determined to put on a good showing in front of their new manager, ex-Boro boss Robson, battled until the end in a bid to avoid defeat against McClaren's men.

But Middlesbrough, courtesy of Bolo Zenden's early second half header and a Darren Purse own goal, made sure Robson's first game in charge of the Baggies was an unhappy one - despite Robert Earnshaw's goal for the hosts.

McClaren, who took over from the former Manchester United and England captain in 2001, insisted he always knew West Brom would make life difficult at The Hawthorns.

But, after extending the unbeaten run in the league to six games, he said: "I'm delighted by the league position. But it means nothing at the moment. Later in the season I might get excited, but not at the moment. We can improve and I think we can get better.

"Any team wants to do well away from home and this result shows we have the resilience not to be fazed on a day when it's the manager's first game at a new club.

"We said before and after the game that nobody would like to come here on Bryan Robson's first fixture and so it proved.

"But we showed great resilience because West Brom put us under great pressure in the last ten minutes.

"Bryan Robson did a terrific job at Middlesbrough before me. I was surprised by the structure that had been built when I came in. He started it and we are just taking things on."

Robson was applauded by both sets of supporters when he walked onto the pitch before yesterday's game and he revealed the personal satisfaction he felt.

"The Albion always get behind whoever is in charge here and they are well known to do that," said Robson, who spent seven years at the helm at Middlesbrough between 1994-2001.

"But it was nice to get the reception from the Middlesbrough fans who were here as well. It meant a lot to me."

Had Nwankwo Kanu turned Geoff Horsfield's centre into the net instead of over the bar from inside the six yards box then Middlesbrough would have picked up a point instead of all three.

And McClaren was relieved to see his player enjoy some good fortune, although he hailed Mark Schwarzer's display in goal.

"Over the 90 we deserved to win but I don't know how Kanu missed that," he said. "I couldn't believe it. How did he miss it? We rode our luck a bit. We haven't had much luck recently and we deserved it.

"Mark Schwarzer gave us plenty in the first half. He was superb. We killed the game second half and we deservedly held on."

And Robson agreed: "It was a very good move from Contra to get Horsfield in behind Middlesbrough. But it looked far easier to put it in than to put it over the bar. These things happen. It would have been nice to have a nice result in my first game but it wasn't to be."

Meanwhile, McClaren was also once again notably impressed with young winger Stewart Downing.

Downing put missing out on the latest England squad to the back of his mind by turning in a good performance against West Brom - capped by delivering the cross for Zenden to score the winning goal.

The 20-year-old will play for the Under-21s against Spain tomorrow night. And McClaren said: "He was excellent and he caused problems with his pace and delivery.

"Teams look at Stewart Downing and know they are in for a tough game. It's Sven's decision to leave him out.

"I just told him if he keeps playing he will get the opportunity.

"His attitude has been magnificent and if he keeps performing for the Under-21 it's just a matter of time before he gets his chance for the seniors."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.