MIDDLESBROUGH’S interest in the controversial Checkatrade Trophy ended in a fittingly underwhelming fashion as they crashed to a 3-0 home defeat to Shrewsbury Town.

Paul Jenkins’ Under-23 side had already been knocked out of the competition after losing their first two group games, and last night’s attendance of just 308 underlined the extent to which the remodelled Football League Trophy has failed to capture public interest.

The appearance of full-back Fabio, who suffered a serious injury in August’s EFL Cup defeat at Fulham, was a rare positive from a Boro perspective.

The former Manchester United defender, who is the main left-back cover to George Friend, gained some much-needed match practice, but Boro were comfortably brushed aside by their League One opposition.

The Teessiders wasted an early chance to open the scoring when Bryn Morris headed over from a corner, and the miss proved costly as Shrewsbury scored twice in the space of five minutes.

AJ Leitch-Smith powered his way into the penalty area before driving a powerful finish past Boro goalkeeper Jo Fryer, before Ivan Toney, who is on loan with the Shrews from Newcastle United, added a second when he curled home a direct free-kick from the right-hand edge of the penalty area.

Carlos de Pena tested Shrewsbury goalkeeper Mark Halstead with a couple of decent long-range strikes, but while Louis Dodds wasted a great opportunity to add to his side’s lead when he headed wide of an open goal, the visitors added a third goal shortly before the hour mark.

Toney did well to tee up Leitch-Smith, and the striker claimed his second goal of the evening with a low finish into the bottom corner.

Toney struck the bar with another free-kick in the final minute, with the full-time whistle ending Boro’s interest in a competition that looks unlikely to return in its current format next season.

Middlesbrough: Fryer, Johnson, McGoldrick, Elsdon, Fabio, Cooke, Morris, Maloney (Wheatley 62),  de Pena, Mondal (McAloon 62), Morelli (Coulson 83).