MATTHEW Hoppe scored twice as a strong Middlesbrough Under-21 side beat Sunderland in a crazy 12-goal thriller at Eppleton.

First team bosses Michael Carrick and Tony Mowbray watched on as an experienced Boro side beat their North-East rivals 7-5 in the PL2 clash.

And for Carrick in particular, there was first team interest, with five of the 11 starters having featured in the Championship at some stage this season. Liam Roberts, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Hoppe and Pharrell Willis were all named in Mark Tinkler's side. As was Marc Bola, whose frustrating season continued as he was forced off injured in the first half.

Sunderland's team was youthful, with seven of the starting XI teenagers, including 15-year-old history maker Chris Rigg, just two days after he made his first team debut in the FA Cup victory at Shrewsbury.

Experience told on the night, but Boro made hard work of it, conceding all five goals after the break.

Hoppe got the ball rolling for Boro with what was almost his first touch after just five minutes, a calm finish. Willis doubled Boro's lead shortly after moving to the left flank following Bola's withdrawal, before Sonny Finch added a third just before the break after a sublime scooped through-ball by centre-half Afonso Lindo.

Just the nine goals were scored in the second half.

Substitute Joe Gibson scored Boro's fourth after the restart, before Michael Spellman made it 4-1.

Boro always looked a threat going forward and Hoppe scored his second and Boro's fifth midway through the second period.

Sunderland substitute Caden Kelly scored a second consolation for the Black Cats, a fine half volley into the bottom corner, but Finch restored Boro's four goal advantage with his second of the night. Ethan Moore scored Sunderland's third before captain Jack Stott lashed home Boro's seventh.

Sunderland scored two late goals through Ellis Taylor and Kelly, who added his second of the night.