MIDDLESBROUGH suffered the first defeat of their pre-season programme as they lost 2-1 to La Liga side Real Betis in Marbella on Tuesday evening.

Aitor Karanka’s side went down in the first game of their Spanish training camp, although the second-half appearance of Gaston Ramirez provided a significant morale boost.

Boro were still to formally confirm the permanent capture of Ramirez prior to kick-off, despite the Uruguayan having signed a three-year deal.

But after the attacking midfielder made a ten-minute substitute appearance, Boro released a statement confirming they had “received permission shortly before kick-off” to play Ramirez. His transfer will be formally confirmed once the final clearances are rubber-stamped.

As was the case in his side’s domestic friendlies with York and Doncaster, Karanka effectively named two entirely different teams for the two halves against Betis, with Adam Reach the only player to appear on both sides of the interval.

Boro fell behind shortly before the half-hour mark when Joaquin slipped in Dani, who fired past Dimi Konstantopoulos from an acute angle.

David Nugent hit the post with Boro’s best first-half opportunity, and after summer signing Viktor Fischer had an attempt ruled out for offside, Betis doubled their lead through Castro.

Jordan Rhodes clawed a goal back for Boro with 16 minutes remaining, heading home Cristhian Stuani’s cross, but Ramirez was unable to convert a late opportunity for an equaliser.

Middlesbrough First Half (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Barragan, Morris, Gibson, McGinley; de Roon, Clayton; Reach, Downing, de Pena; Nugent.

Middlesbrough Second Half (4-2-3-1): Mejias; Nsue, Baptiste, Jackson, Friend; de Sart, Forshaw; Reach (Ramirez 80), Fischer, Stuani; Rhodes.