Newcastle United climbed out of the relegation zone and piled on the agony for Middlesbrough.
Boro are now in the bottom three after defeat in this north-east derby clash before a near sell-out crowd at the Riverside Stadium.
Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson paid tribute to his side for an over-my-dead-body performance.
"I told my players before the game that the team that won would get a massive lift up the table," he said.
"It was not really a pretty performance but we defended resolutely after Middlesbrough made a great start.
"Shay Given made three outstanding saves and whatever luck we had we deserved." Robson praised Titus Bramble for another fine performance in defence.
The former Ipswich Town player had struck form after coming in for strong criticism for his performances.
Boro boss Steve McClaren must have been bitterly disappointed with the result.
His side played some good football and had the better scoring chances but the brilliance of Given, and the lack of a cutting edge, meant another home defeat.
McClaren must he be worried that he does not have a natural goalscorer in his long list of strikers.
Given was Newcastle's saviour in the early stages before Newcastle scored against the run of play with their first shot on goal.
Alan Shearer headed the ball back into the penalty area where Shola Ameobi had an easy close-range scoring chance after George Boateng slipped.
Newcastle survived a tremendous goalmouth scramble just before the break with Franck Queudrue hitting the top of the woodwork with his shot.
Newcastle gained in confidence after the break and Boro struggled for a breakthrough.
McClaren tried a desperate gamble when he introduced three substitutes with 20 minutes to go.
Ironically, the best scoring chance fell to Queudrue but he headed wide from an unmarked position.
Jubilant Newcastle fans added to the misery of home supporters with the chant of "Are you Sunderland in disguise?"