The Championship leaders may have allowed second-placed West Bromwich Albion to narrow the gap at the top but Carroll's late intervention ensured the all-important advantage over Nottingham Forest and the chasing pack was strengthened.
Related ArticlesAshley curbs big-spendingNewcastle 'no longer for sale'Carroll aims to fire for England U21s'Ashley's money keeps Newcastle in business'Carroll denied Boro victory in the Tyne-Tees derby for the first time since October 2006 just as Middlesbrough were ready to claim the local bragging rights as the home side outplayed Newcastle and overcame Peter
Lovenkrands's early opener to take the lead through the excellent Barry Robson and Scott McDonald before Newcastle had the final say.
Boro, who remain on the fringe of the four play-off positions, produced their best display this season and dominated from the word go with Newcastle manager Chris Hughton left fretting early on when Scott McDonald tumbled in the penalty area under Fabricio Coloccini's challenge but Lee Mason waved away legitimate appeals for the spot-kick.
Fitz Hall, in for Mike Williamson who could be out for a month after breaking a hand in a domestic accident, then blocked a goal-bound shot from as Boro thrived on the local derby atmosphere.
Despite Boro's promising start, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley was able to chortle at the ironic rendition of 'There's only one Mike Ashley' from the Boro supporters.
Ashley had plenty more to smile about in the 16th minute as Newcastle took a stranglehold on the contest.
The Boro defence disintegrated as Jonas Gutierrez skillfully made space for himself before he threaded a pass through to Lovenkrands who beat Danny Coyne with a low left-footed shot after leaving David Wheater in his wake to notch his 13th goal this season.
Boro bounced back impressively after that lapse and would have equalised in the 28th minute but for a smart save by Steve Harper who pushed away Barry Robson's 20-yard free-kick after Danny Simpson had felled Rhys Williams.
Robson was not to be thwarted when he set his sights on goal in the 36th minute as he equalised brilliantly and deservedly, playing a one-two with McDonald before curling a left-footed shot beyond the motionless Harper from 25 yards.
Coloccini limped off five minutes into the second half which forced Hughton to re-jig his back-four with Tamas Kadar switching from left-back to link up with Hall in central defence.
Boro almost made the most of Newcastle's misfortune and Julio Arca should have put the hosts ahead on the hour when he was sent clear by Gary O'Neil but Harper won the battle of wits and saved with a leg.
Back came Newcastle and Kadar almost restored his team's lead when he met Danny Guthrie's in-swinging corner but he nodded the ball straight at Danny Coyne from close range.
Gordon Strachan's team made the most of that let-off thanks to McDonald who struck from close range when Neil Killen nodded Robson's free-kick across the goalmouth in the 74th minute.
Boro looked set for a morale-boosting win until Ryan Taylor's cross eluded Stephen McManus and was slammed past Coyne by Carroll in the 82nd minute, the final notable incident of an intriguing derby.
Source: Telegraph
Source: Telegraph