Football: Lady luck fails to shine as reserves lose to Boro.

TWO deflected second-half goals condemned Liverpool reserves to a 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the Barclays FA Premier Reserve League North last night.

The game was played at the Liverpool Academy in Kirkby in a swirling wind which made it difficult for both sides.

Liverpool began brightly and Paul Anderson put a shot over inside three minutes. A minute later Antonio Barra-gan released Robbie Foy but the striker scuffed wide.

Anderson had a deflected shot saved by Knight, but they were the only moments of excitement in a dull first half.

The second half saw Liverpool created numerous openings. The first saw Calum Woods volley a cross from Ramon Calliste goalwards, but Knight made a routine stop.

Boro then went in front when Adam Johnson's shot took a wicked deflection off Miki Roque, and Liverpool keeper David Martin slipped as he tried to change direction. The ball trickled over the line as Martin desperately tried to reach it.

Barragan then shot wide after a brilliant run from the halfway line which saw him ride four challenges. Daniel O'Donnell headed over from close range and Calliste and Foy both had shots saved.

Liverpool substitute Craig Lindfield was sent clean through, but was denied by Knight. Barragan then had a cross deflected off a defender and over the head of Knight, but the ball hit the underside of the bar and just didn't fall properly for Calliste who was following up.

It summed up Liverpool's night, when Boro scored again in the final minute, when Owens' shot was deflected past Martin by the outstretched leg of O'Donnell.

LIVERPOOL: Martin, Barragan, Woods (Lindfield 69), Antwi, O'Donnell, Roque, Peltier, Hobbs (Flynn 85), Anderson (Calliste 46), Guthrie, Foy: MIDDLESBROUGH: Knight, Johnson, Taylor, Robson, Bates, Liddle, Owens, Williams (Fisher 75), Craddock, Kennedy, Johnson.

Liverpool Res.0

Middlesbrough Res.2