Boro Reserves 0 Birmingham City Reserves 1
Middlesbrough Reserves 0 Birmingham City Reserves 1
MICHAEL REIZIGER played just over three-quarters of the game, his first since shoulder surgery, but couldn't prevent a defeat at Billingham, writes Gordon Cox at Central Avenue.
It was a steady, if unspectacular return for the Dutch international who was playing his first game since facing Arsenal back in August.
Boro were first to display a positive attitude, approach play, neat and concise with Anthony Peacock showing up well, helping to create a couple of half chances.
Colin Cooper, up supporting the attack from left-back, burst into the penalty area only to shoot just wide with the angle narrowing seven yards out.
Andrew Davies powerfully headed clear when Birmingham first pressed, fellow central defender David Wheater then displaying fine ball control then positional sense to twice deny the visitors for whom Andrew Barrowman threatened.
The opening goal came after 14 minutes as right-back Olivier Tebily rose high in a crowded six-yard box to head home a Carl Motteram right-wing corner.
A second threatened as the ball flew to and froe through the Boro penalty area until a shot from seven yards from central defender Martin Taylor was deflected into the hands of David Knight.
Wheater, showing his agility, turned well 20 yards out to crack a low shot goalward, Ian Bennett needing a second chance before gathering at full stretch.
City had the first chance of the second half, but a low drive from Clinton Morrison 19 yards out was comfortably saved at his near post by Knight.
When Peter Till beat the offside trap just past the hour mark it looked as though the visitors were about to increase their lead, but he delayed his shot as he approached the edge of the area and Wheater cleared for a corner.
Boro, with Danny Reed instrumental in most good things, put together a period of pressure which had the City defence on full alert.
But the closest they came to an equaliser came with 71 minutes played as Mark Wilson released a low drive from 30 yards which needed a full-length tip round from Bennett to prevent it from going in.
From the corner, taken by Wilson, Wheater headed straight at Bennett.
A minute later Reiziger departed, the first part in his rehabilitation complete.
A surging run from Cooper took him past three challenges and into the Birmingham half, but what looked for a second as though it might be a defence splitting pass turned into a low ball cleared by Taylor.
Peacock had a great chance to level the game 11 minutes from time when latching on to a left-wing cross, only to blaze well over when in front of goal seven yards out.
Middlesbrough: Knight; Reiziger (Grounds 72), Cooper, Wilson, Davies, Wheater, Reed. Doriva, Graham (Craddock), Kennedy (Owens 78), Peacock. Unused subs: Pennock (gk); Clough.
Birmingham City: Bennett; Tebily, Painter, Oji, Taylor, Alsop, Till, Kilkenny, Barrowman, Morrison, Motteram. Unused subs: Bagnall (gk); Hall, Parratt, Birley, Howland.
