Mark Prudhoe questioned the commitment after a star-studded City reserve team went down 3-0 at Middlesbrough.

Benito Carbone played for an hour in his first game back with the club but did little in a side that boasted more than 2,000 league appearances.

Skipper Stuart McCall, Wayne Jacobs, Jamie Lawrence and Gareth Whalley also turned out at Billingham but they struggled to make an impression in the spartan surroundings.

Prudhoe, taking charge for the first time, said: "Middlesbrough were more hungry and got about us much better.

"The attitude is always fine and throughout the football club there is great honesty, that's why it's a pleasure to come into work every day.

"But sometimes honesty has got to be given with a bit more solid commitment.

"I told the lads before the game that it was a banana skin because of the clientele we had out. We should be winning but I've played in these reserve games when you have all the big hitters out and it sometimes goes the other way."

Whalley, back from a groin injury, came through his first run-out for two months.

He said: "The Preston game on Tuesday is probably a bit early for me. I need another week's training before I'm really ready."

l City are repeating their cut-price offer for season-ticket holders for Preston's visit to Valley Parade.

Season-ticket holders can buy four tickets - for adults or senior citizens - at £5 per ticket. Junior prices remain £2 each.