Charlton's hopes of Premiership survival were dented as Middlesbrough finally ground them down with a gutsy display.

Goals from Hamilton Ricard - his 18th of the season - and Robbie Mustoe either side of half-time clinched all three points for a Boro side which proved too strong without really ever finding top gear.

Alan Curbishley's men arrived on Teesside full of confidence and with the experienced John Barnes pulling the strings early on, looked capable of upsetting the form book.

But, as the former Liverpool midfielder faded, so did his side's chances of a second successive league win.

Ricard proved a constant threat, even in a disjointed opening, and once the first goal went in, there was little danger of the visitors snatching back control.

Boro boss Bryan Robson was forced into one change from the side which beat Wimbledon 1-0 on Monday with Brian Deane coming in for the injured Keith O'Neill.

Opposite number Curbishley too was without a key player, with keeper Sasa Ilic missing out after being carried off during the 1-0 victory at West Ham and Andy Petterson taking his place.

Charlton started the better as Barnes and Mark Kinsella held sway in central midfield with Paul Gascoigne, Andy Townsend and Mustoe struggling to exert any control.

Martin Pringle was causing problems for the Boro defence as he put Gary Pallister through a stern examination on his 500th league appearance, but the striker was unable to find the killer touch as Barnes in particular supplied him with some good possession.

Charlton's terrier-like marking proved a source of constant frustration in the early stages as Boro's ball carriers found all their team-mates closely watched as they tried to build up from the back. Indeed, it took Robson's side fully 24 minutes to carve out a meaningful opportunity, Robbie Stockdale finding Townsend on the edge of the box, although his shot was well-saved by Petterson.

Charlton perhaps should have taken the lead with 33 minutes gone when Pringle took advantage of Pallister's slip to race in on goal, but his angled shot was weak and never looked like troubling Mark Schwarzer in the Boro goal.

That miss proved to be costly within a minute as Brian Deane, who had earlier needed several minutes of treatment after a clash with Petterson, played the ball in to striking partner Ricard.

The Colombian's initial effort was blocked by defender Richard Rufus, but the ball sat up nicely for him to volley home from close range.

Boro could have made it two eight minutes before half-time when Ricard headed the ball on to Deane whose header ran just wide of Petterson's right post.

The home side had finally managed to establish some control over the game, but they went in at the break knowing that the game was far from over.

Charlton came out with all guns blazing after the interval, but it was Boro who almost increased their lead after 50 minutes as Ricard caught Barnes in possession just outside his own penalty area.

Danny Mills got across to make life difficult for the Colombian, but the ball ran to wing-back Dean Gordon, who forced Petterson to dive full-length to turn his shot around the post.

Gascoigne went within inches of a spectacular second as he curled a 25-yard free-kick just wide after Rufus had brought down Deane, and Petterson denied Deane with his legs after good work by Ricard on the hour.

The second goal eventually arrived a minute later as Mustoe linked with Ricard before sending a delicate chip over the stranded Petterson to effectively end Charlton's hopes of dragging themselves back into the game.

To their credit, the Londoners kept at it and Schwarzer had to produce a fine save to keep out Mills' downward header from a 68th-minute corner.

But the home fans were in party mood by now and even found the time to indulge in a little light-hearted ribbing of Gascoigne after he sent a volley screaming hopelessly high and wide shortly before being replaced by Neil Maddison on 75 minutes.

Carl Tiler kept the score respectable with a brave block to deny Townsend 11 minutes from time after substitute Keith O'Neill broke down the left, but there was to be no way back for his relegation-threatened side.

Teams

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Stockdale, Festa, Cooper, Pallister, Gordon, Mustoe, Gascoigne (Maddison 75), Townsend, Deane (O'Neill 68), Ricard (Armstrong 75).Subs Not Used: Vickers, Beresford.

Goals: Ricard 35, Mustoe 60.

Charlton: Petterson, Mills, Tiler, Rufus, Powell, Bowen (Brown 67), Kinsella (K. Jones 81), Barnes, Stuart, Pringle, Hunt (S. Jones 67).

Subs Not Used: Youds, Salmon.

Booked: Mills.

Att: 34,529

Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).