INTERNATIONAL class shone through at Bootham Crescent last night as Middlesbrough cruised to a 6-1 victory over York City.

Slovakia's Szilard Nemeth hit a hat-trick while Massimo Maccarone, capped by Italy, bagged a brace.

Both strikers will be pleased to have provided reminders of their striking potential as new signings Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka were paraded in another friendly at Rotherham although the wasteful Maccarone missed five other good chances.

Dutch trialist Sergio also got on the scoresheet with a dipping volley that is unlikely to be bettered at Bootham Crescent this season, while City player-boss Chris Brass got his side's consolation with virtually the last kick of the game.

The class of opposition made this match an unreliable indicator towards City's Conference credentials for the new season in their second pre-season outing although the hosts were careful in possession and played some attractive football at times.

New striker Andy Bishop enjoyed another all-round encouraging display, leading the line well and free agent Shaun Smith proved he has an assured left foot, playing at full-back for City.

Paul Brayson was productive on the right wing in his second game on trial while midfielder Gary Pearson displayed his penchant for powerful and accurate long-range shots on more than one occasion.

Teenage right-back Graeme Law also suggested once more that he can press for a regular first-team place during the new season with a sprightly substitute outing.

But certain defensive errors, which could be defined as elementary regardless of the opposition, will need to be ironed out before City's trip to Aldershot on August 14.

Middlesbrough opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Chris Porter could only parry Stewart Downing's low 25-yard drive and Maccarone swept the ball home.

Porter's opposite number Carlo Nash fumbled a long-range Pearson effort moments later, then Bishop saw a shot blocked by Andrew Taylor before curling another chance inches wide.

But Boro doubled their lead on 33 minutes when Mark Wilson's corner was headed out by City skipper Steve Davis only for former Anderlecht midfielder Sergio to fire in a terrific dipping volley from the edge of the area.

Nemeth added a third 56 seconds after the restart, firing an angled left-footed shot in off a post.

Seven minutes later, Brazilian World Cup winner Juninho, who had a peripheral impact on the game, sent through a pass for Nemeth to beat the on-rushing Porter and tap into an unguarded net.

Nemeth then completed his 15-minute treble from close range when Chris Clarke's sliding clearance after a low Downing cross only travelled a few yards.

Juninho's quickly-taken 76th-minute free-kick caught Clarke day-dreaming and Maccarone blasted his shot past an exposed Craig Mawson, who had replaced Porter in goal.

Player-boss Brass netted City's consolation, firing a sweetly-struck low 20-yard shot into the bottom corner through a crowded penalty box just before the end.

City: Porter (Mawson, 69), Chris Brass, Clarke, Davis (Teesdale, 69), S Smith (Law, 61),Brayson, Pearson, Dunning (Groves, 46), Merris (Robertson, HT), Bishop (Yalcin, 61), Rowan (Nogan, HT).

Middlesbrough: Nash, McMahon, Riggott, Bates, Taylor, Sergio (Peacock, 68), Wilson, Juninho, Downing, Nemeth, Maccarone.

Attendance: 1,274.

Updated: 11:01 Thursday, July 22, 2004