THROUGH Middlesbrough’s flying start, Scott McDonald was grounded. Now Tony Mowbray is experiencing the first turbulence of Boro’s push for the Premier League, he desperately needs his Australian ace to take off.

The most successful of Gordon Strachan’s Scottish Premier League imports in last season’s schizophrenic effort, it seems strange that he is the one Scot not prospering under Mowbray this term. Neat, tidy and technical, he should be the perfect fit for a Boro set-up with the intention of passing their opposition to death.

But the goals for column tells its own story and McDonald’s barren run is part of the reason why the Teesside tilt for promotion is wobbling just a touch. The former Celtic man smacked the woodwork with a shot in the weekend draw with Millwall but for the most part the Lions’ defensive partnership of Liam Robinson and Darren Ward had him under control.

With Marvin Emnes a shade below par, it meant Middlesbrough couldn’t force the issue against spirited but ultimately limited opponents.

At least the goal drought is over – man of the match Barry Robson opening the scoring midway through the first half with a fizzing 25-yard drive that flew past Millwall goalkeeper David Forde.

It was Middlesbrough’s first goal for five-and-a-half hours and should have been a platform to build a first win in four. The Scotland midfielder was excellent throughout, his shoot-on-sight policy a lesson for shot-shy team-mates.

Leading from the front, he leapt to the defence of McDonald after his difficult afternoon.

“It is not happening for Scott McDonald at the moment,” Robson admitted. “He started the season terrifically well, making chances for everyone else, but knowing Scott, once he gets one he will go on a run.

“I have absolutely no doubt that he will score plenty for us. After all, he has scored goals at the highest level.

“He has scored against top opposition in the Champions’ League so the Championship is not going to phase him.”