City reserves 3, Middlesbrough reserves 2

A last-minute strike from trialist Scott Neilson saw City’s reserves snatch a dramatic victory in their opening fixture of the season at Valley Parade last night.

Neilson, who is on the books at Cambridge City, had given the Bantams the lead as early as the 20th minute before Middlesbrough hit back through strikes either side of half-time.

But Daniel Douglas-Pringle, another City trialist from Hyde United, combined with Neilson to draw the hosts level with ten minutes remaining.

Neilson then secured victory at the death to enhance his chances of earning a contract.

Reserve-team boss David Wetherall will have been delighted with his side’s totesportcasino.com League Cup victory over a talented Boro outfit.

First-team defender Matt Clarke, who skippered the side, was named among Wetherall’s starting 11 after missing City’s last three League Two fixtures due to injury.

There were also places in the side for second-year apprentices Curtis Collantine and Ryan Harrison.

Middlesbrough’s replies came in the 44th minute, courtesy of a Louis Horne own goal, and in the 59th from Jonathan Franks.

City reserves: J McLaughlin, C Collantine, R Harrison, L Sharry, M Clarke, L Horne, S Neilson, J O’Brien, R Boulding, L Osborne, D Douglas-Pringle. Subs: L Dean (for Osborne, 70), M Convey, D Mitchell (for Douglas-Pringle, 82), J Barker (for O’Brien, 82), B Hudson.