Middlesbrough will happily settle for this result in six days' time as they gave themselves a vital psychological edge over West Ham.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's 17th goal of the season and a second-half spot-kick from Massimo Maccarone served notice of Boro's intent ahead of the FA Cup semi-final clash between these sides on Sunday.

With that game sandwiching a two-legged UEFA Cup semi-final against Steaua Bucharest, boss Steve McClaren's side at least approach the most important eight days in the club's history high on confidence.

As dress rehearsals go, though, it was hardly a warm-up to take too much notice of because with bigger fish to fry, McClaren made nine changes to the side beaten 1-0 at Portsmouth on Saturday.

There may be those detractors wondering why McClaren fails to field his strongest line-up for every match, but with safety long secured and with the two semi-finals looming, he had every right to do so.

On this occasion his two in-form strikers in Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka were restored to the starting line-up, while 19-year-old David Wheater was handed a full debut at centre-back.

After just three substitute appearances and a loan spell at Doncaster to his name, this was a chance for Wheater to shine.

However, with just over five minutes elapsed he almost handed the Hammers the opener on a plate, only for goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to spare his blushes.

The visitors, with longer to prepare for next Sunday's semi-final, showed only four changes, and it was two of those in Yaniv Katan and Marlon Harewood who combined to create that opening chance.

The Israeli's inswinging cross from the left wing fell to Harewood, but only after an horrendous slice at the ball from Wheater.

Fortunately, Schwarzer produced a point-blank save to turn the ball away from a 10-yard drive, leaving Harewood with his head in his hands.

That was as close as West Ham came in the opening half for although they enjoyed the greater possession, it was Boro who always looked the more likely to score.

The home side, though, had to wait until the 18th minute for their opening opportunity, with Doriva firing a 20-yard drive inches over the crossbar.

That had followed what the Hammers fans thought was Teddy Sheringham becoming the first 40-year-old to score in the Premiership.

But their cheers died in their throats when they saw his shot from 15 yards bounce behind the Boro goal, with the situation worsened by the fact he had handled Hislop's long goal-kick en route and was booked.

Following that, Franck Queudrue was presented with a golden chance by Hasselbaink and Viduka in the 22nd minute, only to fire his shot across the face of goal when it appeared easier to score.

After Hasselbaink had been thwarted by Shaka Hislop, and Sheringham had curled a 25-yard free-kick narrowly over, it was Boro's veteran forward who broke the deadlock four minutes from the break.

Matthew Bates played a one-two with Maccarone - operating on the right wing - with the right-back pulling the ball in from the byline for Hasselbaink to drive home his 13th goal since the turn of the year in 19 appearances.

After replacing Viduka at the break with Malcolm Christie - making his second consecutive substitute appearance after 14 months out with a stress fracture of his foot - Boro doubled their lead in the 57th minute.

Shaun Newton bundled over Adam Johnson in the area, allowing Maccarone to drill home the resultant spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner, despite a laboured run-up that suggested otherwise.

After James Collins denied Wheater the chance of a stooping header and Hislop blocked a near-post flick from Queudrue - both from successive Maccarone corners - Pardew made a triple substitution.

On came Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton and Carl Fletcher for Katan, Harewood and Lionel Scaloni, and the Hammers at least finished the stronger.

Boro, though, were content to preserve what they had as chances went begging for the visitors.

Mullins whistled a long-range drive past the post; Newton curled a right-footed shot narrowly wide, while Sheringham powered a header narrowly off target.

After penalty appeals against one of Boro's three substitutes, Andrew Taylor, showed Newton's attempted cross had hit his chest, Ashton summed up West Ham's day by blazing over from close range in the final minute with the goal at his mercy.

Teams

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Bates, Riggott, Wheater, Queudrue,Maccarone, Doriva, Parlour, Johnson (Taylor 76),Hasselbaink (Kennedy 72), Viduka (Christie 45).

Subs Not Used: Knight, Parnaby.

Goals: Hasselbaink 41, Maccarone 57 pen.

West Ham: Hislop, Konchesky, Gabbidon, Collins,Scaloni (Fletcher 66), Newton, Reo-Coker, Mullins,Katan (Zamora 66), Sheringham, Harewood (Ashton 66).

Subs Not Used: Walker, Reid.

Booked: Sheringham.

Att: 27,658

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).