Nicky Maynard became the first player to breach Middlesbrough's defence in a Championship match this season and later revealed the shoot-on-sight policy which is earning him such acclaim.

Demonstrating unerring accuracy and irresistible power, the in-form striker twice beat Boro keeper Danny Coyne from range to send his side into the two-week international break in fine fettle and show why City were prepared to pay Crewe £2.25 million for his services 13 months ago.

Having bagged his fourth and fifth goals of an increasingly fruitful season, Maynard attributed his scoring exploits to the advice given him by manager Gary Johnson.

"He always encourages me to shoot on sight and it seems to be paying off for me," said Maynard.

"When I was at Crewe, the manager didn't like me shooting from a long way out and I tended to score more tap-ins because of the way we played.

"But it's different here. The gaffer knows I have a good shot on me and he likes me to have a go when the chance arises. If I think there's a chance to score, I have a go.

"I only had one thing in my mind for both goals, to shoot as quickly as possible and get a good connection on the ball. Confidence is a big part of it, but everything I hit seems to be going in at the moment."

Much of the pre-match hype surrounded the return to Ashton Gate of Leroy Lita, the last striker to register 20 goals in a season for City. Judging by the manner in which he completely upstaged him, Maynard will be the next to achieve that particular feat.

He has already netted five times and makes no secret of his desire to emulate Lita.

"Whenever people ask me, I tell them I'm setting my sights on beating the 20-goal mark," says Maynard, who remains the only player to score for City in six outings since the opening game of the campaign at Preston.

"No-one can put more pressure on me than I put upon myself and I'm happy to set targets and go public with them. I accept it's my responsibility to score goals for the team and I'm okay with that."

Maynard's first goal, delivered with real venom on 63 minutes, had the Ashton Gate crowd on its feet. Scrapping for possession on the edge of the penalty area with defender Jonathan Grounds – a late replacement for Stoke-bound Robert Huth – City's leading scorer came away with the ball and beat Coyne's despairing dive with a brilliant shot delivered at pace which found the far top right-hand corner.

Boro restored parity 16 minutes later, City captain Louis Carey inadvertently handling the ball inside the 18-yard box and Adam Johnson scoring his fourth goal of the season, and his second from the penalty spot.

City players were unhappy with the decision, feeling it was a case of ball to hand, but referee Russell Booth had little option once his assistant had raised his flag

Charged with the task of winning the game all over again, City did so in time added on at the end. Outstanding in every respect, Scottish international midfielder Paul Hartley proved the architect, spotting Maynard's forward run and delivering the ball into his path with pin-point accuracy.

Without so much as hesitating, the striker showed central defenders David Wheater and Grounds a clean pair of heels, controlled the ball with his first touch and produced an emphatic finish with his right foot to end Boro's unbeaten Championship record. Truly, it was a goal worthy of winning any match.

Boro will claim a draw was the least they deserved, but the home side was in no mood for charity following a week of trouble and strife. Comprehensively beaten by Cardiff six days earlier and then dumped unceremoniously out of the Carling Cup by unheralded Carlisle, City badly needed to restore lost pride and confidence.

Manager Johnson demanded no less and must have been delighted by the collective response summoned by players who contested every tackle, header and loose ball as though their lives depended upon it.

Asked to stand up and be counted, they did that and more, in the process defeating opponents who, only last May, were in the Premier League.

City were prepared to meet fire with fire, none more so than in their quest to shackle the dangerous Lita who, apart from one turn and shot which confounded Jamie McCombe and drew a smart save from the dependable Dean Gerken, found it difficult to escape the attentions of a defence superbly marshalled by the gallant Carey.

With the exception of a Wheater header which bounced to safety off the top of the cross bar late in the first half, Boro failed to seriously threaten the home goal until Carey's hand ball offered the a belated lifeline.

By the time Maynard restored their lead, City had well and truly silenced their critics, in the process proving their strength of character and commitment to the cause beyond doubt.

Booed off the field just three days earlier, the Robins were cheered to the rafters by supporters who are once again prepared to believe.