Brazilian gem Juninho capped his recent return to the Premiership with a stunning goal on the stroke of half-time to help Boro sink beleaguered Leeds 3-2 at Elland Road.

With the seconds ticking away in the first half, Juninho let fly from 25 yards with his right foot - giving Paul Robinson no chance as Boro sealed a come from behind victory.

These are troubled times for Leeds boss Terry Venables, who side's recent haul of 17 points from 30 smacks of relegation form.

The afternoon had started brightly enough for the home side with Mark Viduka opening the scoring in the 24th minute.

The Australian international capitalised on hesitancy from both George Boateng and Schwarzer to score his 10th goal of the season.

Barmby initially fed Viduka who then played a one-two with Eirik Bakke on the edge of the area and as the Australian went for the return, George Boateng and Mark Schwarzer presumed the other would collect, allowing the Leeds striker to steal in.

The optimism from the home fans was short lived, however, as Juninho orchestrated a fine Boro comeback.

The visitors were level in the 36th minute when Massimo Maccarone sent Robinson the wrong way from the penalty spot for a club-leading seventh goal of the season after the Italian had his legs taken by Lucas Radebe.

The South Africa international earned a yellow card for the challenge, although as last man was lucky not to have been sent off by Harrow official David Elleray.

A fingertip save from Schwarzer from Jason Wilcox's 20-yard screamer in the first of three minutes of injury time was enough to prevent Leeds from getting their noses back in front.

Instead, it was Boro who grabbed the half-time lead with Juninho's goal and the visitors grabbed an invaluable two-goal cushion with a stunning third goal from Geremi, who lifted his left-foot shot over Robinson in the 64th minute - prompting cries from the majority of Elland Road of `Ridsdale, Ridsdale, what's the score?' and `Ridsdale, it's time to go'.

The balance of the game could have been different when Leeds were almost got back on level terms within 35 seconds of the second half restart as Viduka found Smith with a backheel which teed up the England striker for a dipping left-foot shot, only for a full-stretch Schwarzer to superbly tip the ball over the crossbar.

Danny Mills was then left fuming in the 53rd minute as the right-back felt he should have been awarded a penalty following a challenge from Boateng only for television replays to show the Dutchman did win the ball.

Leeds piled on the pressure and reduced the deficit when Viduka scored his second of the game in the 76th minute.

However, there no further goals and troubled boss Venables was ultimately left to reflect on another disappointing home result.   

MAN OF THE MATCH: Juninho (Boro): It's hard to believe he's been out all season. A real touch of class capped by a superb strike rightly returns him to hero status on Teesside.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Radebe, Lucic, Bravo, Barmby (Milner 68), Okon, Bakke, Wilcox, Viduka, Smith.
Subs not used: Martyn, Harte, McMaster, Kilgallon.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby (Cooper 41), Ehiogu, Southgate, Murphy, Geremi, Boateng, Greening, Juninho, Christie (Nemeth 85), Maccarone (Ricketts 80)
Subs: Jones, Job.

Referee: D Elleray (Middlesex)

Attendance: 39,073