Derby County.........2, Middlesbrough .........1

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Bryan Robson had harsh words for match referee Paul Durkin after his side slipped to defeat at Derby yesterday despite dominating much of the game.

``Sometimes referees' decisions decide games,'' he admitted. ``We felt three or four blatant penalty decisions we could have had, we didn't get.

``And the lads feel really hard done by with the second goal as well, where Steve Vickers had a blatant push on the back. The only pleasing thing was that our overall performance was good.

``It's now seven games without a win, but I felt we played some good football. We just needed the referee to be a bit more kind to us.''

Danish forward Mikkel Beck said he could not believe his side had managed to lose the match, but shrugged off the disappointment to pledge his future to Middlesbrough.

He said: ``I thought we were unlucky, we had a lot of chances, and hit the bar. I know there was a penalty after I was fouled, and when you see it in slow motion you will see. I was talking to my opponent and he said the same.''

When asked about his future, in the light of recent speculation concerning the club's other international stars, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Juninho, Beck insisted he was settled in the North East.

``From the beginning when I could not play the club were very supportive towards me,'' he said. ``I just want to stay here as long as I can and score as many goals as I can.''

Derby manager Jim Smith added: ``I've got to be honest and say it was a great win for us because we needed two victories on the trot to put us back in the comfort zone.''

Derby took the lead in 15 minutes. Scot Christian Dailly's pass found Ashley Ward, and his low cross was met by Asanovic, who turned sharply before placing a low drive under Gary Walsh's body.

The home team gave themselves some breathing space two minutes after the restart with a second goal, and this time Asanovic was the provider. His free kick by-passed the visitors defence and Ward was on hand at the far post to force the ball over the line.

Middlesbrough looked down and out at that stage, but they came back and Derby were indebted to keeper Hoult. He turned a curling shot from Juninho around a post and pushed a 20-yard drive from Robbie Mustoe over the bar.

Ravanelli volleyed against the bar, but Middlesbrough finally received some reward for their efforts after 73 minutes. Juninho fed Hignett and Ravanelli found himself unmarked to head home the cross for his fourteenth goal of the campaign, but only his second in the last seven games.