The Pittsburgh Steelers scored four touchdowns in a dominant first-half performance to take a 29-3 lead into the halfway stage of their NFL clash at home to the San Francisco 49ers this evening.

It was the hosts who were first to register on the scoreboard as they went in search of their first win of the season, with Ben Roethlisberger firing the ball to Heath Miller at the front of the endzone for a two-yard score.

The Steelers interestingly went for a two-point conversion on the opening touchdown, and Antonio Brown collected Roethlisberger's pass to complete the first successful two-pointer in the opening quarter of an NFL game since 2001.

The 49ers finally got on the board in the second quarter when Phil Dawson kicked a 47-yard field goal, but the Steelers were clearly keen to make an impression and soon had their second touchdown of the match when DeAngelo Williams raced in front two yards.

Once again Pittsburgh went for the two points, and this time it was Miller who collected Roethlisberger's pass to extend the lead to 13.

That grew even further shortly afterwards when Roethlisberger completed his second touchdown pass of the night, this time combining with Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 35-yard score, although their eagerness to go for two points was perhaps explained when Josh Scobee missed his kick for the extra.

Williams doubled his personal tally moments after the two-minute warning to make it a four-touchdown half for Pittsburgh, whose lead was extended to 26 at the break when Scobee made the extra point this time.