THE outcome of the vote on a North-East Assembly was declared last night but, in the footballing world, a new regional power base is already flourishing on Teesside.

By beating Italian giants Lazio 2-0 at the Riverside, Middlesbrough announced their arrival among the European big boys by all but assuring themselves of a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Bolo Zenden's double - making it three goals in the space of six days for the Dutch midfielder - left Boro three points clear at the top of Group E and humbled one of European football's biggest names.

The fact that Boro could have won even more convincingly merely underlined the strength of the side Steve McClaren has assembled and, with Stewart Downing running riot, the home side displayed an attacking exuberance that could take them a long way in this year's competition.

Lazio had no answer to Boro's incessant attacking while, at the other end, Gareth Southgate and Chris Riggott will enjoy few easier evenings, despite the presence of maverick marksman Paolo Di Canio.

The same Middlesbrough side had gone fifth in the Premiership last weekend. But while beating Charlton is one thing, Lazio were always going to provide a far tougher test of Boro's mental resolve and, for a fleeting five minutes, the home side seemed to struggle to come to terms with the occasion.

The Italians were quicker to settle and, after teenager Roberto Delgado had linked with Brazilian international Cesar on the left, Antonio Filippini dragged his shot narrowly wide after finding acres of space on the opposite flank.

That miss served to rouse Boro, with Ray Parlour raising the temperature at an already raucous Riverside three minutes later.

The former England international found himself harangued by three Lazio players after firing in a long-range effort while Giuilano Giannichedda was lying prostrate on the ground.

The midfielder was eventually carried off on a stretcher but, while Parlour's actions were hardly the epitome of sportsmanship, they rattled Lazio's players enough to help earn Boro a 16th-minute advantage.

The visitors were still arguing their case when Downing set off on a customary charge down the left wing.

While Fernando Couto cut out his cross, the Portuguese defender's clearance looped up off Viduka's foot and into the path of the on-rushing Zenden.

The Dutch international had scored Saturday's winner with a deft chip, and his technical ability was evident again as he barely broke stride before lashing an unstoppable volley past a shell-shocked Fabrizio Casazza in the Lazio net.

The goal was the signal for wave after wave of Boro attacks as the home side twice went close to extending their lead.

Another great Downing run ended in a cross that was narrowly cut out by Couto, while Viduka trapped Franck Queudrue's throw in on his chest before engineering an acrobatic volley that crept narrowly over the crossbar.

Di Canio fired over after a juggling act of his own at the other end.

But with Middlesbrough threatening to score every time they broke forward, Downing shot narrowly wide after Viduka's strength punched another hole in the Lazio defence.

Sven Goran Eriksson will name his squad for the forthcoming friendly with Spain a week tomorrow and, if the England boss was looking for proof that Downing's pace and precision could trouble international defenders, he needed only have watched the way the 20-year-old tortured established Italian right-back Massimo Oddo last night.

Downing's fine display on the left flank was replicated right across the Middlesbrough midfield, with George Boateng making his usual box to box runs and Parlour firing a 30-yard piledriver narrowly over the top as half-time approached.

But it was Boro's new wing wizard who continued to catch the eye and, with Oddo finally changing tack to show Downing inside, the youngster duly rifled in a right-footed strike that almost curled into the far corner.

He was back on his left five minutes later, drawing a low save from Casazza, and with Hasselbaink continuing to pepper Lazio's goal from all angles, a second Boro goal always looked on the cards.

It duly arrived in the 71st minute, with Downing crossing from the right for Zenden to guide home a close-range header after ghosting in behind a static Italian defence.

Parlour went close to adding a third with ten minutes left, firing across the face of goal after being played in by Hasselbaink.

Then Viduka almost grabbed the goal that his all-action display deserved after showing a surprisingly deft touch in the box.

Result: Middlesbrough 2 Lazio 0.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.