BORO's Reserve side stay top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North tonight after drawing away to Manchester City and preserving their unbeaten record.

It took City just under three minutes to take the lead as David Ball followed in an Ashley Grimes shot which flew back off a post.

City continued to press and a low cross skidded off a wet surface but just wide of Grimes.

Boro steadied and equalised with just over eight minutes played with Jonathan Franks sending over a fine cross which was met by Tom Craddock who slid a low shot under City 'keeper Filip Mental.

Marc Laird was next to threaten Boro's goal, but Ross Turnbull was equal to the task and produced a fine save. John Johnson almost put Boro in front approaching the break, but Mental denied him.

City, who were forced into a change midway through the first half when Grimes took the ball full in the face, had to make another after a collision between Javan Vidal and Mental, the Slovakian goalkeeper was replaced at half-time by Greg Hartley.

Vidal, none the worse for his exertions, just cleared the bar early in the second half.

The second period was patchy, not helped by refereeing which seemed to disrupt any flow the game may have, but nevertheless both sides had chances to win and it was City who wasted a great chance not long past the hour mark when Ball cleared the bar from close range.

Hartley produced an excellent one-handed save to tip over a Graeme Owens shot from the edge of the box before Turnbull saved from ball.

But the best chance fell to Owens in injury time. The Cramlington-born youngster was left with Hartley to beat after a fine run, but attempted a chip which went straight into the goalkeeper's hands.

There were sound performances from a number of Boro players including Turnbull, Tony McMahon, Jonathan Grounds and John Johnson, but there was a downside to the night as Ben Hutchinson was replaced at half-time suffering with a knee injury which will be assessed over the next 48 hours.

Teams
Manchester City: Mentel (Hartley 46); Vidal, Williamson, McDonald (Mee 51), Breen, Laird, Clayton, Grimes (Poole 22), D Ball, Marshall, McDermott. Unused subs: Weiss, Daly.

Boro: Turnbull; McMahon, Hines, Grounds, Bennett, Franks, J Johnson, Goulon (Smallwood 58), Owens, Hutchinson (Porritt 46), Craddock. Unused subs: Atkinson (gk); McCardle, Corker.

Bookings:
City: Breen 38, Laird 81.

Boro: McMahon 61.

Boro Website Man of the Match: Seb Hines

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