Middlesbrough Reserves lost for the first time this season when going down to a solitary goal against Manchester City at the Riverside last night.
An open entertaining game saw both sides create chances with Boro squandering a handful of opportunities to open the scoring.
City keeper Carlo Nash was in good form stopping a 20-yard drive from Allan Johnston with 15 minutes played and thwarting the same player on the stroke of half time when he produced another smart stop. But Boro keeper Sam Russell was also called on to make smart stops to deny Matias Vuoso and Jeff Whitley.
The only goal of the game was scored eight minutes from time when Shaun Goater drilled a low shot passed Russell from a tight angle after missing with two relatively simple headers.
It was a disappointment for Steve Rounds' side, although there were some good performances from Boro with Tony Vidmar looking strong in a central defensive role.
Middlesbrough Reserves: Russell, Davies, Gavin, Vidmar, Cade, Wilkshire, Marinelli, Wilson (Smith 46), Downing, Whelan (Dove 75), Johnston. Subs not used: Turnbull (GK), Gulliver, Burnhardt.
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