From the moment Freddie Hill broke the deadlock just four minutes in, pictured, there was only ever going to be one winner and 18-year-old Boro keeper Des McPartland would spend as much time picking the ball out of the back of his net as he would keeping Bill Ridding’s side at bay.
Wyn Davies doubled the advantage midway through the first period but there was no more scoring before half time.
After the interval, however, it was one-way traffic in the hosts favour.
Gordon Taylor set up Francis Lee for a third on 50 minutes than grabbed two himself inside two minutes just after the hour.
The final goal did not arrive until eight minutes from time but it was one worth waiting for as Brian Bromley lashed home a piledriver following good work from skipper Warwick Rimmer.
The following night, the Whites travelled north to Ayresome Park for a quickfire return fixture but had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw this time – Roy Greaves grabbing their goal.