MIDDLESBROUGH'S young side won the North Riding Senior Cup final with a 2-1 win over Scarborough at the McCain Stadium last night.

But Scarborough had the consolation of producing their best showing of the pre-season to set themselves up for Saturday's visit to York City.

Middlesbrough opened the scoring after 11 minutes, when James Morrison curled a low free-kick past a badly constructed wall.

But the lead only lasted for three minutes. The lively Gary Cohen was tripped by Philip Gulliver and Scott Kerr rattled in the equaliser from the penalty spot.

Jason Lee, the much-travelled striker, was making his debut for Scarborough and produced some neat touches and control in a useful showing.

He linked up well with the impressive Jack Williams on a couple of occasions, with the young Frenchman with the Welsh name narrowly shooting wide and then crashing a shot against the bar.

However, the Seadogs were undone by a quick break from Middlesbrough, which ended with Nicholas Nordgren lashing the ball home from close range.

Nicky Henry played his first full game for many months and came through unscathed, but the injury problems continue to mount for manager Russ Slade, with both Steve Baker and Kerr limping off to join the throng in the treatment room.

Slade, who is keen to sign Lee, said: "I shall be putting my proposals to the board and I shall be a very disappointed man if I cannot improve the squad - but we shall just have to wait and see."

Scarborough: Walker, Baker (Henderson 35), Dudgeon, Hotte, Yale, Kerr (Sherlock 52), Williams, Raw (Rose 79), Cohen, Lee

Middlesbrough: Jones, MacMahon, Harrison, Gulliver, Taylor, Morrison (Masters 89), Close, Nordgren (Peacock 79), Liddle, Cade, Graham

Referee: D Coulson (Northallerton)

Updated: 10:05 Thursday, July 24, 2003