MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren signalled exactly what he thought of the Worthington Cup last night by sending out an entire squad of reserve team players at unfancied Brentford.

But McClaren, who has worked wonders at the Riverside since taking over, showed once again he can do no wrong.

The Premiership high-fliers - currently third in the top-flight - did not have one star involved at Griffin Park who started the 3-0 victory at Tottenham on Saturday.

But McClaren's second string saved the former Manchester United coach from an embarrassing defeat with an impressive and comfortable 4-1 win.

The gulf in class between the two clubs was there for all to see - even if it was only an unrecognisable Boro that was on parade.

There was no Maccarone, no Boksic, no Southgate, no Ehiogu, no Boateng and no Geremi.

But there was the unpredictable, and arguably undoubted, talent of Carlos Marinelli. He scored one goal and set one up with a two-minute first half show of skill, precision and determination and it proved the difference on the night. He also helped create Boro's third.

Fortunately for McClaren's men the tricky Argentinian enjoyed those moments of magic, as Brentford pressed hard after half-time to force their way back.

But goalkeeper Mark Crossley was in no mood to concede on his only first team start so far this season, though he could do nothing to stop defender Ibrahima Sonko's injury time consolation.

Prior to that the clash had already been wrapped up with Mark Wilson and subsitute Stewart Downing making progress safe.

In fairness to McClaren on the night, he will suggest handing experience to some of his youngsters, who have served the club well at Academy and reserves team level, has given him an indication as to what they are capable of.

And now he can also point to a place in round three of the competition and they will be named in Saturday's draw.

But quite what the paying public in West London thought of the England coach's decision last night is another matter.

There were 7,558 inside the ground and it is hard to believe the healthy travelling Teesside contingent at one end expected the Riverside chief to be so unadventurous with his selection.

McClaren's surprising line-up came after he suggested he was taking the competition seriously and he viewed it as a route in to Europe. He had indicated he was willing to hand youth its chance, but few expected such drastic action.

Brentford boss Wally Downes, meanwhile, must have been buoyed by McClaren's decision after the former admitted it was his fault for the 5-1 drubbing at Peterborough in the Second Division over the weekend.

Boro started with avengence and went close to opening the scoring within seconds of the kick-off.

Noel Whelan found himself with space 30 yards out, but his dipping 25-yard volley was tipped over superbly by keeper Paul Smith.

Moments later Smith was on hand again when he got down to block an Allan Johnston drive.

However, after Boro goalkeeper Crossley stopped a header from striker Mark McCammon, the visitors broke the deadlock with a superb strike from Marinelli.

The young South American took one touch to control a Johnston cross before unleashing a cracking left-foot drive beyond Smith.

And then, just if Brentford believed they could easily work their way back into the encounter, it was soon two-nil - with Marinelli again the inspiration.

The 20-year-old picked up the ball 25-yards out before jinking his way through two defenders and laying the ball on a plate for Whelan to tap in after 20 minutes.

That suggested the floodgates were about to open. But Brentford had other ideas.

Boro may have been enjoying more of the possession as half-time approached but the hosts' striker Rowan Vine should have clawed his side back into the contest.

He had three efforts stopped by Crossley. The first two were headers and the third a low shot from just outside the box.

After the restart McClaren brought on Downing for Dean Windass. Brentford broke from midfield through Vine, who sucked in the opposition before finding Stephen Hunt unmarked to the left of the penalty spot. His effort flew behind the goal.

And it was from the same section of the ground that a bottle was then thrown at Crossley and the referee, Keith Hill, had to carry the object of the field.

The incident did not distract Brentford from their positive response and Vine had another effort on goal but once again he was denied by the Boro goalkeeper.

Boro then lifted their game and grabbed two further goals to wrap up victory.

First, Marinelli played in Wilson, who turned and struck a left foot drive into Smith's top right corner; and then Wilson turned provider for Stewart Downing, whose first time shot flew in.

Result: Brentford 1 Middlesbrough 4.

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