ALEX Mathie fired himself into the reckoning for a first team recall as York City drew 1-1 with Premiership outfit Middlesbrough in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Premiership club's Rockliffe Park training complex.

Mathie, who has not started a first-team game this month because of hamstring troubles, pounced on a rebound to give a City side made up of first-teamers, reserves and youngsters the lead.

Middlesbrough, including former Fiorentina midfielder and Australian skipper Paul Okon, equalised before half-time.

As well as Mathie boosting his match fitness ahead of Saturday's trip to Kidderminster Harriers, the match provided City boss Terry Dolan with a welcome selection poser in midfield.

Skipper Steve Agnew came through 60 minutes untroubled by the recent hamstring injury that forced him to miss Sunday's 4-1 FA Cup success over non-League Radcliffe Borough.

And Kevin Hulme, who was also forced to sit out the Gigg Lane triumph due to suspension, played for an hour to put himself in contention for a starting place at the Aggborough Stadium.

"It was an okay work-out," said Dolan.

"It was a very heavy pitch because it had rained quite a bit overnight, but at least it was a game."

Saturday's Division Three rivals, Kidderminster Harriers, are set to unveil midfielder Neil MacKenzie as a new signing after the former Cambridge United player impressed in trials at Aggborough.

The reduced prices for tickets for City's first round LDV Vans Trophy clash with Darlington on December 5 are as follows:

Standing £5 (concessions £2), Popular Stand seating £6 (£3), Main Stand seating and enclosure £8 (£4), Family stand £5.50 adults, £2 children.