ANOTHER goal for Massimo Maccarone but it was defeat for Middlesbrough Reserves away from home last night.

The Italian striker played the full 90 minutes of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City as he strives to reach a sufficient level of fitness which would put him in contention for first team football.

Maccarone's goal came after 51 minutes, a simple finish after a basic move had opened up the City defence.

The game was played on one of the warmest nights of the year, a contributory factor to a relatively slow pace. Adam Johnson, however, was always a threat down the left, supported on the right by Lee Cattermole playing slightly out of position from his normal central role.

Doriva was arguably one of the best players on the park as passes were spotted and delivered with professional precision in part of what was overall a good team performance.

Boro created chances to take the lead, Cattermole going close which a shot which just cleared the bar and Maccarone denied a clear shooting chance with a last ditch tackle.

Two minutes from the break he missed a scoreable chance and was punished as City broke to open the scoring.

Lee Croft sent over a high cross, Boro only half cleared and Stephen Ireland sent an unstoppable half-volley beyond Brad Jones from the edge of the penalty area.

The goal was a little against the run of play, Maccarone's 51st minute strike restoring parity.

Seb Hines almost restored Boro's lead with a left-footed snapshot on the turn which whistled past the stranded Casper Schmeichel but narrowly wide of the post.

David Wheater produced a fine challenge to break up one attack with threatened and, together with Colin Cooper, was kept up to his work as City closed the game looking better than they had done for most of the preceding minutes.

What proved to be the winning goal for Steve Wigley's side came three minutes from time when a mis-placed pass from defence feel to Ireland, whose precise ball picked out Bradley Wright-Phillips. The striker was left with just Jones to beat and tucked away into the bottom right-hand corner.

TEAMS

Manchester City: Schmeichel; Warrender (Capt), Collins, Onuoha, Richards, D'Laryea, Croft, Ireland, Miller (Etuhu 65), Wright-Phillips, Sibierski (Laird 65). Unused subs: Matthewson (gk); Bennett.

Middlesbrough: Jones; Liddle, Hines, Cooper, Wheater, Doriva, Cattermole, Kennedy (Walker 75), Johnson A, Maccarone, Craddock (Watling 75). Unused subs: Pennock (gk); Clough, Burgess.

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