BORO cruised to victory in the first game of their German mini-tour with goals from Leroy Lita and Nicky Bailey, writes MIKE McGEARY.

A huge deluge before kick-off dampened the spirits of the 2,500-strong German crowd, lightning flashes and heavy rain sending supporters and reporters scurrying for cover at the compact, friendly Alfred Kunze Sport Park.

At the scheduled kick-off time of 7pm the teams had yet to emerge after earlier abandoning their warm-up, but the rain stopped and the players finally emerged at about five past seven and the game quickly got underway.

The Boro side included two trialists, Italian defender Mirko Pieri, of Livorno, who started at left-back, and sub Jackson Mendy, of German side Freiburg.

Once the dark rain cloud had deposited its load, the skies brightened and the crowd were soon in fine voice, but the pitch that had looked in excellent condition had a greasy surface. 

Barry Robson and David Wheater were both having their first taste of pre-season action after recovering from injuries, but Scott McDonald was not in the squad after having a wisdom tooth removed.  

The opening exchanges brought no clear cut chances, with both sides taking their time to get used to the conditions.



However, goalkeeper Daniel Richter had to come out of his box to head clear after a testing through ball from Kevin Thomson, playing alongside Robson in the middle.

Moments later Benjamin Schmidt skied an ambitious effort from just outside the box.

Thomson then did well to snuff out a promising move along the home side's left-hand side. Boro were playing an orthodox 4-4-2 formation with Nicky Bailey on the left  of midfield and Willo Flood on the right.

Robson fired a curling 30-yard free-kick straight at the keeper on the half-hour mark after a foul on Hoyte.

But Boro took the lead on 31 minutes as Wheater, from beyond the far post, cushioned a Robson corner to Lita's feet and the striker tickled the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

It should have been two for Lita and Boro on 38 minutes when Bailey intercepted well and slipped a beautifully weighted pass to the forward, but his attempted chip sailed harmlessly into the keeper's arms. 

And Schmidt could have got his side back into it moments after that but Hoyte collected his cut-back with ease.

The dangerous Lita unleashed a vicious shot at the other end after a good run but it Richter gathered well.

The game was now swinging from end to end and the impressive Skrubititze sent a fine ball agonisingly across the face of goal with the final action of the half. 

Half-time: Sachsen Leipzig 0 Boro 1 

Pieri made way for fellow trialist Mendi at left-back as the second half began with bright sunshine now drenching the pitch, while Brad Jones replaced Danny Coyne in goal.

Sachsen almost scored five minutes after the restart when Jones appeared to be impeded and Skrubititze took advantage by steering the ball to Barvinek, who had an open goal, but Stephen McManus denied him with a brave and brilliant block. 

Boro went on the attack again and Mendi popped up in a great position but his weak shot was saved.

From Robson's resultant corner Wheater looped a header against the bar with the keeper stranded.

A second goal seemed to be coming and Boro came even closer when Lita only just failed to get anything on Justin Hoyte's cross from the right.

Boyd then stung Richter's fingers with a fine, curling shot from just inside the box after beating his market neatly.

It was all Boro now and another excellent Robson corner almost presented the ball to Lita.

Jonathan Franks got involved in the action after coming off the bench, crossing well for Bailey, who met the ball with his shoulder and was unable to test Richter. 

However, Bailey did get on the scoresheet moments later, on 77 minutes. A defensive error presented the ball at his feet and he was able to guide it into the unguarded net. 

Williams slipped the ball delightfully inside the full-back for Julio Arca and Lee Miller came close to making it 3-0 but couldn't get the vital touch.  

A quick count of the Boro fans in the away end came to 24 and at the end of the game they were warmly applauded by the Boro players.

Sachsen Leipzig: Richter; Kuckelt (Schöbe 82), Werner, Kittler, Barvinek (Winkler 85), Shubitidze (von der Weth 64), Heinze (Seitz 64), Schmidt (Ledwoch 74), Köckeritz, Schößler (Dennhardt 82). Subs: Schmedtje (gk), Nolde, Teichmann.

Boro: Coyne (Jones 46), Hoyte (Bates 75), Pieri (Mendi 46), McManus, Wheater, Flood (Franks 70), Bailey, Thomson, Robson (Arca 75), Lita (Williams L 64), Boyd (Miller 64). Subs: Bennett, Grounds.