LAST year's FA Youth Cup winners were too much for a young Boro side, writes NATHAN JUDAH from the Sport City Arena.

Jason Steele returned from injury and there were also places for Matthew Bates, Seb Hines, Tony McMahon and Jonathan Grounds.

Boro's front six certainly had the future in mind with Nathan Porritt partnering Gary Martin in attack while Graeme Owens and James Cronesberry were asked to provide the width.

But the visitors got off to the worst possible start, conceding within the first five minutes after David Ball broke down the left-hand side before unleashing a powerful shot which proved too powerful for Steele to keep out.

Josh Walker should have replied straight away but he somehow managed to miss from a yard out with the goal at his mercy.

It was City who continued to look the more likely to score with Vladimir Weiss and Ian Daly both going close.

Graeme Owens and Gary Martin were both denied by last ditch defending from the returning Nedum Onuoha as Boro looked to pull level before half time.

But it was the home side who doubled the lead with a minute to go when Paul Marshall superbly curled in a free-kick from 25-yards out, giving Steele no chance.

Boro needed a reply early in the second half but instead found themselves out of the game when Adam Clayton's crisp, left-footed volley found its way into the bottom corner.

Ben Mee put through his own net to give the visitors a consolation on the hour mark but City were well worth the victory on the night.