MIDDLESBROUGH signed off from their Spanish training camp with a 1-0 defeat to Segunda Division side Real Balompedica Linense in Marbella this morning.

A second-half header from Chico meant Boro suffered their first pre-season setback, and Aitor Karanka’s squad will now return to England ahead of Saturday’s game at Doncaster Rovers.

With Stewart Downing making his first start since completing a £5m switch from West Ham, Boro started brightly and Albert Adomah had a tenth-minute effort turned wide.

Adomah was denied by an offside flag as he put the ball in the net shortly after, before Daniel Ayala had a header saved on the goalline as Boro dominated the first half.

Kike twice went close at the start of the second period after coming off the bench at the break, but despite rarely threatening, Linense claimed victory when Chico headed home a cross from the right.

Middlesbrough: Mejias (Ripley 46); Nsue (Wildschut 67), Ayala (Burn 67), Fry (Jackson 46), Friend; Clayton (Maloney 67), Leadbitter; Adomah (Kalas 46), Downing (Carayol 67), Reach (Tomlin 46); Fewster (Kike 46).