THE scoreline doesn't tell the whole story as Boro Reserves lost against Newcastle in game which brought many positives, including the return of Matthew Bates, writes SAM LOUGHRAN from Billingham.

Bates made his return to football after eight months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury and slotted in at right-back in a young Boro team.

With the Magpies first real attack came the opening goal after five minutes as James Marwood drove a low shot past Jason Steele from 20 yards.

Martin Scott's side were looking energetic in the opening exchanges as Marvin Emnes, playing with Nathan Porritt and Jonathan Franks in support, all looked bright, with Joe Bennett and Josh Walker continuing their recent good form.

Steele was very nearly called into action after a stunning volley from Mark Doninger was blocked en route to goal by striker Andy Carroll.

Boro broke at the other end and a superb right-wing cross was expertly taken down by Emnes on the chest, with the resultant volley for goal blocked strongly by Tim Krul.

The home side nearly equalised after good interchange between Emnes and Porritt down Boro's right saw the latter drive a left-footed shot across Krul, only to see the parry almost turned in by Ben Tozer inside the six-yard box.

Newcastle were living dangerously.

Moments later the visitors were let off the hook again as a magnificent Richard Smallwood volley from 30 yards out saw Krul collect at the second attempt.

Eight minutes before half-time an acrobatic bicycle kick from Andy Carroll looked likely to double Newcastle's advantage, only for Steele to pull a save from the top drawer to deny the tall striker.

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0 Newcastle United 1

The interval saw a change for Boro as returnee Bates, who had enjoyed a confident 45 minutes, was replaced by Ashley Corker.

The first clear chance of the half fell to the visitors as Carroll found Joey Barton free inside right of the penalty area, but he horribly scuffed his shot and Boro comfortably cleared.

Boro hit back and a stinging 25-yard drive from Franks on the left was fumbled by Krul, but as Emnes bore down on goal, Newcastle squirmed the ball out for a corner.

With 58 minutes played, the Magpies doubled their advantage as a flowing move down the right found Jonathan Godsmark, who whipped across the face of goal for Carroll to head home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Boro hit straight back as a surging Bennett run found Shaun Saiko on the edge of the area and the Canadian in turn slipped in Emnes 15 yards from goal. The pair continued their runs into the area but Emnes' return ball found Smallwood, who coolly dinked over Krul to give Boro a foothold on the hour-mark.

A move down the Newcastle right saw Godsmark excellently blocked twice by Bennett, but the third attempt saw the winger drive across the face of six yards where John Johnson slid in to clear, only to put the ball into his own net.

After three goals in six minutes the game settled somewhat, although both sides were adventurous going forward, with Boro putting together some nice passing moves in the final third.

A slack Walker pass on the half way line set Godsmark away and as he charged towards the penalty area, shifted the ball to the right where, unmarked, Nile Ranger lashed home from 15 yards.

With five minutes to go Boro looked to have reduced the arrears as Porritt was found unmarked at the backpost after another superb Franks cross from the right. The winger drove the ball goalwards, only to see his shot stopped by Krul.

Porritt had another go as the ball rebounded out, dinking past a covering Newcastle defender and lashed the ball towards Krul's near post, but a combination of the keeper and the woodwork kept the ball out.

In the final two minutes it was Porritt once again who drove for goal with a dipping effort from 25 yards, but the shot cleared the bar by inches as the visitors survived.

Middlesbrough: Steele; Bates (Corker 46), Hines (Robinson 75), Johnson, Bennett, Franks, Smallwood, Walker (Capt), Saiko, Porritt, Emnes. Unused subs: Filler (gk); Shead, Cronesberry.

Newcastle United: Krul; Edgar (Capt), Kadar (Lough 62), Barton (Inman 80), Tozer, Morris, Godsmark, Doninger, Ranger, Carroll (McCrudden 74), Marwood. Unused subs: Ferguson (gk); Ameobi, McDermott.

Referee: Mark Brown

Bookings

Middlesbrough: None

Newcastle: Doninger, foul, 26; Marwood, foul, 60.

Conditions: Cold with infrequent drizzle

Website Boro Man of the Match: Joe Bennett

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