Boro run in seven

Middlesbrough began their pre-season in style with a flurry of goals in a 7-3 Ramsdens Challenge Trophy victory at Falkirk.

Boro actually fell behind early on when Lyle Taylor turned in past trialist goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler with defender Stephen McManus off the pitch receiving treatment for a head wound.

Ten minutes later new signing Grant Leadbitter set up Luke Williams to equalise, and the teenager quickly added his second before Leadbitter headed another on the half-hour. But Taylor then seized upon a mistake from Nicky Bailey to reduce the lead ahead of the interval.

Taylor soon completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Rhys Williams had committed a foul upon the restart before another Boro newcomer Emmanuel Ledesma struck the bar and then reclaimed their lead.

Midfielder Bailey in turn found the bottom corner to make it 5-3 for the visitors and Scott McDonald later added two more to finish the scoring.

Falkirk: McGovern, Duffie, Flynn, Smith, Kingsley, McGrandles (Sibbald 46), Murdoch, Leahy, J. Fulton (Dick 66), Howorth, Taylor

subs (unused): Amos, Fulton, White, McGeever

Goals: Taylor 3 (1 pen)

Middlesbrough: Leutwiler (Ripley 59), Parnaby, Hines (R. Williams 46), McManus, Arca (Smallwood 59), Bailey, Leadbitter (Halliday 59), Thomson, Reach (Park 59), Emnes (Ledesma 46), L. Williams (McDonald 46)

Goals: L. Williams (2), Leadbitter, Ledesma, Bailey, McDonald (2)

Ref: B. Madden

Att: 1,621

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