Colin Cooper's second goal in two games rescued Middlesbrough's unbeaten record as Manchester City threatened to plunge them back into deep relegation trouble.

The former Nottingham Forest defender drove home a 61st-minute equaliser to cancel out Steve Vickers' first-half own goal and extend his side's run without a loss under coach Terry Venables to 10 games.

And although City will be desperately disappointed not to have hung on to their lead a draw was just about a fair result.

The visitors had an early strike by Danny Tiatto ruled out for offside, but keeper Nicky Weaver kept them in contention with a string of first-half saves.

And it was the Teessiders who finished the stronger despite having Keith O'Neill sent off for a bad tackle on Gerard Wiekens.

Venables was handed a boost before kick-off when Hamilton Ricard, Christian Karembeu, Curtis Fleming and Cooper all reported fit after suffering knocks in the midweek draw at Everton, and the only change was O'Neill's return at the expense of Dean Gordon.

Opposite number Joe Royle too made the minimum of changes following the 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday night, but he handed a first start to loan-signing Andrei Kanchelskis in a game from which his side really needed to take something if they are to stave off the dreaded drop.

The relative league positions of the two clubs did not augur well for an open game, but the first-half was hugely entertaining with chances at either end.

Boro's defensive solidity has been the foundation for their nine-game unbeaten run under Venables, but they were at times torn apart by the visitors as Tiatto and Danny Granville exploited the space down the left and Darren Huckerby gave Vickers a torrid time.

The Australian thought he had put his side in front with just eight minutes gone when he drove a low shot past Mark Schwarzer into the far corner, but an offside flag brought a premature end to his celebrations despite heated protests.

However, the Teessiders did not learn their lesson, and if the manner in which they fell behind on 28 minutes was a little unfortunate, they only had themselves to blame.

Alfie Haaland's pass over the top put Kanchelskis into acres of space, and although his cut-back was nowhere near either of the blue shirts in the middle, the ball flew off Vickers and into the net to give City a lead they thoroughly deserved.

But while Boro were not at their best, they did create chances, and but for the excellence of Weaver, could have led comfortably at the break.

The England Under-21 international produced fine stops from Ricard, Paul Ince twice and Alen Boksic as Boro turned the screw to earn the stroke of good fortune which saw O'Neill's injury-time shot run inches wide of his left post.

Boro returned determined to drag themselves back into the game, but in the early stages of the half at least, City were happy to get men behind the ball and largely frustrate their hosts.

Chances were few and far between, although Ricard and Richard Dunne found themselves at the centre of an untidy goalmouth scramble which left bodies strewn all over the penalty area.

The equaliser finally arrived with 61 minutes gone when Ugo Ehiogu got up well to head back O'Neill's left-wing corner and Cooper blasted a shot through a crowded box to level it.

Schwarzer redeemed himself for a dreadfully mishit clearance with a fine save from Tiatto's deflected effort, but it was the Teessiders pushing for the winner as time ran down.

O'Neill curled a long-range free-kick just wide of Weaver's left post and then looped a header over from Cooper's cross as the home supporters sensed a late winner.

The game seemed to be running down towards an uneventful finish when O'Neill lunged at Gerard Wiekens, sparking angry exchanges in which Tiatto and Ince were heavily involved, but referee Alan Wiley calmed a potential flashpoint before sending off the Republic of Ireland international.

There was almost a late twist when Tiatto sent Shaun Goater free with just three minutes of normal time remaining, but Schwarzer saved well to ensure his side got something for their efforts.

Teams:

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Cooper, Vickers, Ehiogu, Fleming, O'Neill, Karembeu, Ince, Okon (Mustoe 90), Ricard (Whelan 79), Boksic (Campbell 90).

Subs Not Used: Festa, Crossley.

Sent Off: O'Neill (86).

Goals: Cooper 62.

Man City Weaver, Granville (Wright-Phillips 88), Howey, Dunne, Tiatto, Wiekens, Haaland, Whitley, Kanchelskis, Goater, Huckerby (Grant 70).

Subs Not Used: Prior, Ritchie, Nash.

Booked: Huckerby, Whitley.

Goals: Vickers 28 og.

Att: 31,794

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).