BRYAN ROBSON'S Middlesbrough scored four goals inside 17 sensational second half minutes to seal their immediate return to the Premiership and spark off a promotion party down by the Riverside. England stars Paul Gascoigne and Paul Merson were the men Boro boss Robson believed would provide the quality to calm the nerves on a tense afternoon, but it was goals from unsung heroes Alun Armstrong and Craig Hignett which actually did the trick; securing the all-important second spot ahead of neighbours Sunderland. While their North East rivals, together with Charlton, Ipswich and Sheffield United, must prepare to fight on in the trouser-troubling play-offs, Middlesbrough World Cup hopefuls Gazza and Merse aside can start partying. This 4-1 victory was a fitting way for Boro skipper Nigel Pearson to bow out after announcing his decision to call time on his injury-ridden career. He was more emotional than most inside an ecstatic Riverside Stadium, but at least he went out in style. And there's no turning back. I have made my decision and, as tough as it was especially now I'm sticking by it, said the defensive stalwart. I'm sick and tired of having injections before every game. It's an emotional day for me, but I believe I've made the right decision. It's not a bad way to finish. After a nerve-jangling, goalless first 45 minutes by which time Sunderland were 2-0 up at Swindon and occupying second spot in the table - the onslaught began with two goals in less than three minutes from former Stockport striker Armstrong; both cleverly and typically set up by World Cup wannabe Merson. The mood of apprehension soon gave way to delight and relief as midfielder Hignett, possibly playing his last game for the club, added two more to put Boro in an unassailable position. The party had begun. Both the goalscorers had been recalled for the final game of the season, even though Armstrong - a £1.6m signing in mid-February - had seemingly been ruled out for the rest of the season with a back problem. But he looked in the best of health as he boosted Boro's hopes with two clinical finishes. His first, a low shot from the edge of the box was more spectacular, but his second, fired home from a yard after classic wing play by Merson, was just as important. Hignett, who has still to sign a contract for next season, got his first, and Boro's third, off the post in the 57th minute - it was the club's 50th home goal of the campaign - while his second was a powerful drive from 10 yards after Merson and Gascoigne had combined. Nicky Banger managed a consolation goal for Oxford in the 70th minute, an effort which crept under Mark Schwarzer's body, but it barely put a crimp in the celebrations. Robson said: After the different emotions we have experienced in the last year, this is very pleasant. I know that teams who go up to the Premiership struggle, so I have to strengthen my squad in the summer to make sure that doesn't happen to us again. I've got the best chairman in the country who has always given me 100% support. I'm sure that will continue to be the case. MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Fleming, Harrison, Festa, Pearson, Townsend, Mustoe, Gascoigne, Armstrong (Ricard 67), Merson, Hignett Subs Not Used: Kinder, Beck OXFORD UNITED: Whitehead, Robinson, Marsh, Gray, Davis, Gilchrist, Murphy (Banger 67), Smith, Francis (Cook 85), Powell (Remy 63), Beauchamp Att: 30,228 Ref: PR Richards (Preston)

PROMOTION TIMELINE Statistics, Facts And Fixtures   START OF THE DAY Nottingham Forest champions, Middlesbrough in the automatic promotion position, Sunderland and Charlton guaranteed at least a play-off spot, Ipswich guaranteed a play-off spot and no chance of anything better, Sheffield United in the last play-off spot but vulnerable to Birmingham City. 21 mins Swindon 0 Sunderland 1: Sunderland into the promotion slot 44 mins Swindon 0 Sunderland 2: no change 47 mins Middlesbrough 1 Oxford 0: Boro back into the promotion slot 48 mins Middlesbrough 2 Oxford 0: a one-goal cushion for Boro 57 mins Middlesbrough 3 Oxford 0: a two-goal cushion for Boro 62 mins Stockport 1 Sheffield United 0: Birmingham now level on points, but behind on goals scored 63 mins Middlesbrough 4 Oxford 0: a three-goal cushion for Boro 70 mins Middlesbrough 4 Oxford 1: a two-goal cushion for Boro 86 mins Swindon 1 Sunderland 2: no change Final whistle Middlesbrough up, Sheffield United in the play-offs P Pts Gls GD Nottm Forest 46 94 82 +30 Middlesbrough 46 91 77 +36 Sunderland 46 90 86 +36 Charlton 46 88 80 +31 Ipswich 46 83 77 +34 Sheffield Utd 46 74 69 +15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Birmingham 46 74 60 +25 FACTS Last year, Barnsley were promoted automatically with just 80 points, only enough for the fourth play-off spot this season. The play-off final last year was between Sheffield United and Crystal Palace, who finished in 5th and 6th places with 73 and 71 points respectively, fewer than Birmingham managed this time around. PLAY-OFFS Semi-finals, May 10 & 13 Sheffield United v Sunderland Ipswich v Charlton Final at Wembley, May 25

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