TWO pieces of classy finishing saw Boro lose at home to Atletico Madrid, writes GORDON COX from the Riverside.

The home side went behind with just five minutes played as they swept down the left, Martin Petrov sending over a precise, low cross which Spain international Fernando Torres clinically despatched low to Mark Schwarzer's right from 15yards.

The goal apart Boro had started well, Mark Viduka showing good close control on a number of occasions, but captain Torres was a constant threat and his movement with Mateja Kezman caused Boro's backline quite a few problems.

Boro skipper Gareth Southgate produced a superb challenge to deny Torres a clear run on goal to demonstrate his wellbeing.

An entertaining game saw plenty of action in both penalty areas in the first half, Madrid's delivery always seeming the more incisive.

There was little wrong with Boro's approach work, neat, precise and effective, but more often than not the final ball was missing, though movement high up the field didn't always complement the approach.

There was much to admire with the industry of George Boateng and the artistry of a sharp looking Gaizka Mendieta, while Doriva went close on a couple of occasions from the edge of the area.

A chance to draw level was created two minutes into the second half when Stewart Downing sent over a left-wing cross which fell to Viduka eight yards out in front of goal. He did well to keep a low strike under control, the shot squirmed under Leo Franco, but the goalkeeper took enough pace off the ball to allow him the time to scramble back and clear off the line.

Another Downing delivery, this time from a right-wing corner, created another gilt-edged opportunity to equalise, but Ugo Ehiogu sent a free-header from the edge of the six-yard box straight at Franco.

The night soon got worse for Ehiogu as, 14 minutes after the restart, Madrid attacked with style and incision and Torres turned him on the edge of the penalty area. There's no doubt that in a Premiership match the central defender would have been sent-off; here sufficient punishment was served as Madrid went two-up with the sweetly struck free-kick from Antonio Lopez which went like an arrow into Schwarzer's top right-hand corner.

Not long after Ehiogu's misery was complete as he was replaced by Matthew Bates.

With 72 minutes played Boro fans got their first look at Yakubu, who was given a tremendous reception when he replaced Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as one of four changes made at the same time by Steve McClaren as Doriva, Gaizka Mendieta and Mark Viduka were replaced by Ray Parlour, James Morrison and Szilard Nemeth.

It was one of those replacements which set up an exciting finish as Szilard Nemeth took the ball under control cleverly inside the Madrid penalty area and struck a powerful shot from an angle 15 yards up from the goal line across Franco.

Kezman twice threatened to restore a two-goal lead, but a fine block from Bates was matched by a save from Schwarzer denied him.

In the final minute Boro almost drew level when Nemeth was left unmarked just inside the area. Good close control set the ball up nicely which the Slovakian smacked off Franco's right-hand post, the rebound going out of harm's way.

*A young Boro team lost 3-0 in the final of the North Riding Senior Cup against Whitby Town at the Turnbull Ground tonight.

TEAMS

Boro: Schwarzer; Parnaby (Reiziger 46), Southgate (Capt), Ehiogu (Bates 60), Queudrue, Mendieta (Morrison 72), Boateng, Doriva (Parlour 72), Downing, Hasselbaink (Yakubu 72), Viduka (Nemeth 72). Unused subs: Jones; Kennedy, Johnson.

Atletico Madrid: Franco; Velasco, Lopez, Ibanez, Luccin, Perea, Rodriguez (Zahinos 90), Gabi (Colsa 69), Torres (Capt.), Kezman, Petrov. Unused subs: Cuellar (gk); Molinero, Contra, Ibagaza, Sicila, Domingo, Braulio, Arizmendi.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg, Tyne and Wear.

Attendance: 7,855