Boro use 20 players at Preston

Middlesbrough comfortably won the game scoring twice and hitting the woodwork twice. Although Sergio did have to head off the line to prevent Preston making it 1-1.

The starting line up (who all played the first-half) was:
Schwarzer, Parnaby, Riggot, Southgate, Queudrue, Mendieta, Boateng, Doriva, Downing, Hasselbaink, Viduka

At half-time it was 1-0 and the scorer? DOWNING. So in 135 minutes each Viduka and Hasselbaink have managed a penalty between them. Viduka, did however create the chance for Downing.

The second half started with eight replacements making the team:
Schwarzer, Parnaby, Riggot, Ehiogu, McMahon, Sergio, Juninho, Greening, Job, Maccarone, Nemeth

This team, with players who have already scored six between them, added another in the second half when Maccarone set up Nemeth in the 55th minute. There was one more change when Taylor became the 20th Boro player to take part in the game. He replaced Parnaby after 63 minutes.

Boro have now scored 10 goals pre-season. Nemeth 4, Maccarone 2, Sergio 1, Downing 1, Mendieta 1, Viduka 1 (pen). As games go by those impressing seem to be Juninho, Nemeth, Maccarone and Downing.

Parlour and Reiziger have yet to play - so on to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. With 22 now in contention for the starting line up on 14th August.