Connor Shanks was on target again as Moors came from behind to claim a draw in their final pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough Under-21s at The Brewery Field.

Jack Stott had put Boro’s youngsters in front with a tidy finish just before the break but Shanks climbed off the bench to level and that’s how it finished.

Moors almost claimed an early lead when Mark Anderson’s corner from the left was met by Ben Pollock, but the defender’s glancing header dropped just the wrong side of the far post.

Boro responded with an effort of their own on 10 minutes when danger man Calum Kavanagh slalomed his way through the home defence before prodding his shot just wide.

Nathan Simpson seized on some hesitation from Josh Doherty to storm through on goal down the right, but Pollock came across with a wonderful, last-ditch tackle to prevent Boro from going in front.

However, the visitors did take the lead eight minutes before the break when Kavanagh slipped a lovely ball through, and Jack Stott ran through to finish low into the bottom corner for 1-0.

Moors made a double change at half time with Connor Shanks and Danny Greenfield introduced and the latter almost had an immediate impact when his left-wing corner found Rob Ramshaw but his header flew too high.

Shanks then got involved in the action when he robbed a Boro defender inside the penalty area to lay the ball across for Will Harris but the striker could not force the ball home from close range.

Josh Doherty’s flighted cross was nodded just wide by Ramshaw and then Reece Staunton’s long-range effort flashed just over the bar as Moors looked more likely to find a leveller.

And it duly arrived on 68 minutes when the ball found its way to the feet of Shanks on the edge off the box and the attacker continued his good pre-season form in front of goal by sending a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

Moors then went in search of the winner and substitute Corey McKeown almost grabbed it ten minutes from time when the ball fell kindly to him 20 yards out, but his firm strike was saved by the keeper.

Full Time: Moors 1 Middlesbrough Under-21s 1

Moors: Montgomery, Ferguson, Ledger, Pollock, Staunton, Doherty (Ross 64), Anderson (Greenfield 46), Fielding (McKeown 64), Ramshaw, Harris, Gallacher (Shanks 46).
Sub not used: Mouat.

Referee: Zak Kettle