AFTER THE COMEBACK, THE comedown. As much as they stirred the soul of the Riverside Stadium on Thursday evening, Middlesbrough dulled the senses yesterday, reverting to the sort of pallid performance that had supporters calling for Steve McClaren’s head two months ago. In a season of extremes, they remain a quixotic, frustrating team, capable of greatness or desperation.

While fans revelled in their progress to the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup — “Geordies at home, are watching The Bill,” they crowed — Europe felt like an exotic illusion. A late goal by George Boateng briefly rekindled memories of their glorious 4-3 victory over FC Basle, but for 79 minutes, Middlesbrough were outplayed by a Newcastle United team who can only fantasise about such headiness.

As the match matured, their football improved, but the concession of two first-half goals was soft. That, at least, was reminiscent of the match against Basle — to whom they trailed 2-0 after the first leg — but McClaren’s players were undermined by heavy legs and frazzled minds. Still active in two knockout competitions, the Premiership is not their focus now that safety has been assured.

The introduction of Mark Viduka flushed them with energy and they should have gained a penalty for handball by Craig Moore, but the overall impression was negative. “It’s difficult to carry on from such a high of the other night,” Chris Riggott, the centre half, said. “Psychologically, we have to be stronger than that. It’s something we’ve got work on.”

It will not form the happiest backdrop to McClaren’s second interview with the FA — which could take place today — although Bolton Wanderers also lost and Charlton Athletic drew at home with Everton. Neither of those clubs can boast the same wealth of young English talent as Middlesbrough, buried though it was amid the general mediocrity.

“I don’t like losing football matches,” McClaren said, “and this was a local derby, so we’re all disappointed, but I always look for perspective and we’ve got bigger priorities; we know that, everybody knows that. After the other night, that was always going to be difficult and maybe Newcastle caught us on a good day.”

Criticism deserves context and at least Middlesbrough’s epic season retains some purpose. This was their 53rd game, with at least nine more to follow. Without a permanent manager, Newcastle have only pride and local bragging rights to fight for and neither compensate for nine months of tumult and trauma. This win hoisted them to tenth in the table, eight points behind Arsenal.

With a run-in that features matches against Wigan Athletic, Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City before their last-day home match against Chelsea, Europe would not be completely beyond Newcastle’s reach if they could cast off their inconsistency. “One game at a time, but we are now revved up,” Glenn Roeder, the caretaker manager, said. “We will let the league table look after itself, but we have kept our season alive.”

Conscious of Middlesbrough’s recent exertions, Roeder impressed upon his team the need to “come out of the blocks fast”. Shola Ameobi spurned a pair of good opportunities before the 29th minute, when he headed a flighted corner from Nolberto Solano back across goal and Boateng touched the ball across the line. Shortly before the interval, Ameobi drilled a low shot beyond Mark Schwarzer. “Poor defending,” McClaren said with a sigh.

The absence of Gareth Southgate, Stewart Downing and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink did not assist Middlesbrough’s fluidity, while Andrew Davies left the pitch on a stretcher after damaging an arm. Boateng redeemed himself, shooting smartly from long range after Viduka had chested the ball into his stride.

There was to be no delirious finale, although Fabio Rochemback was denied by Shay Given and Yakubu Ayegbeni found the side-netting.

“In the last few minutes, we stood up and were counted and we haven’t always done that this season,” Roeder said. “We have been criticised, but we can’t be criticised for that. What Middlesbrough did to Basle they couldn’t do to us.”