A GOAL in each half saw Boro and Liverpool share the spoils in the opening Barclays Premier Reserve League game of the season at the Riverside, writes GORDON COX.

In an open start to the game Ryan Crowther was the first to offer a threat on goal but Brad Jones was equal to the task of stopping a swerving 25-yard drive.

Gaizka Mendieta covered a lot of meaningful ground in the early stages, ably supported by Lee Cattermole as Boro's midfield looked to take a grip.

But it was from the striking department that the opening goal game as with 10 minutes played Tom Craddock rose to challenge goalkeeper Charles Itandje virtually on the goal line. Admittedly it looked as though the young Boro forward used his hands to turn the ball in.

Liverpool, in particular Itandje, were incensed and appealed but to no avail.

Boro almost went two up a few minutes later when Ben Hutchinson turned sharply on the edge of the six-yard box but he flashed a low shot under pressure inches wide.

The visitors began to apply pressure, Jordy Brouwer and Sebastian Leto in particular looking dangerous. But stout defending was the order of the day.

Tony McMahon looked none the worse for his lengthy lay-off, Seb Hines and Jonathan Grounds were a determined deterrent, while John Johnson put in some telling and well-time tackles.

Herold Goulon and Joe Bennett provided the ball play to complement Cattermole's more direct approach and Craddock and Hutchinson covered plenty ground to create space.

Chances were limited, at either end, as two sides keenly contested play which was largely concentrated between both penalty areas.

Jones was in action prominently in the early passages of play in the second half, one low save to prevent Luca Leiva's 22-yard swerving shot from bringing the scores level was particularly smart.

Lee Cattermole's evening was brought to a premature conclusion when he limped off and eventually out of the stadium on crutches, although that was described as a precautionary measure after he took a kick directly on a bone.

A powerful run from Bennett soon got Boro moving in the right direction as his a low cross from the edge of the penalty area picked out Hutchinson who cleverly set up Richard Smallwood but a well struck low drive from the young substitute was blocked.

Another quick move again created a half chance for Smallwood but soon after that effort was blocked Liverpool brought a near post save from Jones with a fine left-footed shot from Leto.

Back game Boro in a game which swung from end to end and the lively Hutchinson smacked a powerful drive towards goal, Itandje saving in unconventional, but effective fashion.

Jones was called to make smart saves to thwart Mikel San Jose Dominguez and Emiliano Insua as Liverpool continually probed away at Boro's rearguard.

Eventually they were given a chance to equalise from the spot after Grounds was harshly adjudged to have use his right arm to have cleared. Ray Putterill sent a low drive well beyond the reach of Jones with 76 minutes played.

It took a timely intervention from Hines to clear danger posed by another Liverpool raid as the visitors closed strongly, with Grounds defending equally as well to block Craig Lindfield with a couple of minutes remaining

But it was Boro who almost snatched it in injury time as Smallwood toe-poked for goal but keen defending blocked his path.

Teams

Boro: Jones; McMahon, Hines, Grounds, Bennett, Mendieta, Cattermole (Smallwood 56), Goulon (Thompson, 56), Johnson J, Craddock, Hutchinson (Cronesberry 68). Unused subs: Steele (gk); McCardle.

Liverpool: Itandje; Darby, Insua, Dominguez, Hobbs, Spearing, Crowther, Leiva (Plessis 82), Lindfield, Brouwer (Putterill 64), Leto. Unused subs: Flynn, Martin, Threlfall.

Bookings

Boro: Grounds, Craddock, J Johnson.

Liverpool: Dominguez.

Man of the Match: Ben Hutchinson

Attendance: 547