BORO fans had a glimpse of the real Scott McDonald against Newcastle and the Australian striker is looking to kick-on from here.

McDonald was keen to make an impression after signing from Celtic on transfer deadline day in January, but following an impressive debut against Barnsley he wasn't able to perform to his best as he suffered from the after effects of a hernia operation.

A specialist recommended rest and after having an injection, McDonald missed the games against QPR and Cardiff.

But he returned to score his first goal in a Boro shirt on Saturday and said afterwards: "It was the first time I have felt really good, I just get on with it and get back to playing football now."

McDonald's goal in the 74th minute put Boro in front for the first time in a game that they had dominated.

"I thought I had scored the winner," he said. "Games like this we really need to kill off. We have 10 games to go and if we don't kill games off we're not going to the play-offs, it's as simple as that.

"We have to do it together until the last kick of the season. Hopefully we can work hard and get there, but we were all hugely disappointed in the dressing room after the game."

Much of that hurt came from Andy Carroll's equaliser eight minutes from time. Nevertheless, Boro were warmly applauded at the end of an entertaining game played in a terrific atmosphere.

"That was unbelievable on Saturday, the lads said they would love that every week," says McDonald. "If we get the enthusiasm and atmosphere, then hopefully we can get the results to go with it. The game had a bit of bite to it and was tasty."

McDonald, pictured above with Boro's other goalscorer Barry Robson, is now looking to build on what he achieved on Saturday, and is hungry for more.

"Come Tuesday I'll be wanting to score again. I put pressure on myself every game, it's my job and it's me as a person.

"I know we closed the gap on Cardiff on Saturday, but it should be closer. It should be less than four points, that's way we should be thinking.

"We have to get some nastiness about us. We have other games which may not be as big as Saturday coming up, but we have to make sure we have the same attitude out there otherwise we won't be successful, it's as simple as that.

"Every single minute of every single game has to be contested."