TONY PULIS might keep insisting he does not have a deep enough squad to mount a viable promotion push, but Middlesbrough’s second string keep on suggesting otherwise.

Having battled their way past Notts County at the start of the month, Boro’s shadow squad produced a more polished performance last night as they brushed aside League One opposition in the shape of Rochdale.

A side containing ten changes from last week’s win over West Brom, and that finished with a back four featuring Djed Spence, Nathan Wood and Enes Mahmutovic and a midfield boasting 18-year-old debutant Billal Brahimi, deservedly claimed a place in the Carabao Cup third round despite a late flurry from a Rochdale team that threw caution to the wind in the closing stages.

Those youngsters are unlikely to figure much in the Championship, but in the likes of Grant Leadbitter, Paddy McNair, Marcus Tavernier, Marvin Johnson and Ashley Fletcher, Pulis boasts deputies who should be capable of slotting into the league line-up if required.

Jordan Hugill might do much more than that now he is up to full speed, and having watched Marvin Johnson break the deadlock after his first-half header rebounded off the post, the loan signing from West Ham United opened his Boro account in the second period with a thumping close-range header.

Six years ago, Hugill was playing in the Northern League with Marske United and working as a barman at Middlesbrough’s Dickens Inn. If he can reproduce last night’s display on a regular basis over the remainder of the season, he will be the toast of every bar on Teesside.

He will certainly hope to force his way into Boro’s Championship line-up sooner rather than later, and his maiden goal, which came midway through the second half, can only have helped on that score.

Hugill, a Middlesbrough-born 26-year-old who also played for Seaham Red Star, Consett and Whitby Town before breaking into the professional ranks with Port Vale, is the kind of bustling, industrious striker that Pulis admires, and his ability to retain possession with his back to goal was a key feature of Boro’s attacking play all evening.

His aerial prowess, which was evident in his second-half strike, is another major string to his bow, and could prove especially valuable if Rudy Gestede’s injury problems continue to show no sign of clearing.

Given the number of changes in last night’s line-up, it was perhaps understandable that the home side lacked rhythm for long spells, but Hugill’s willingness to receive the ball meant they were always able to build an attack.

His partnership with Fletcher was an effective one, and with Johnson and McNair constantly looking to forage forward from their wing-back berths, Boro gradually gained the upper hand during a somewhat subdued first half.

Fletcher narrowly failed to connect with McNair’s early driven cross, but it was the 28th minute before Rochdale goalkeeper Magnus Norman was forced into a save.

When it arrived, it was a decent one, with Norman turning Fletcher’s low drive around the post after Mahmutovic’s slide-rule through ball had sent the striker galloping clear of the Dale defence.

Norman also claimed McNair’s driven effort shortly after, but the Fulham loanee was powerless to prevent Boro breaking the deadlock eight minutes before the break.

Hugill headed Tavernier’s right-wing cross against the base of the post, and the ball broke kindly for Johnson to drill the rebound into the far corner.

Rochdale had been reasonably well-organised to that stage, but the League One side have only claimed one league win all season and their attacking limitations were clearly evident.

Andy Lonergan, Boro’s spot-kick hero from the first round, made routine saves from Callum Camps and Ian Henderson before the break, but with Daniel Ayala in cruise control at the heart of the back four, the home side were never seriously tested.

Indeed, the Teessiders almost took a two-goal lead into the interval, with Fletcher flashing a 45th-minute drive just past the post after breaking free down the left-hand side.   

Ayala went off at the break, with Pulis having more than half-a-mind on Friday’s Championship game at Leeds, and with Mo Besic also departing, there was a second-half debut for French youngster Billal Brahimi and a second senior appearance for teenager Djed Spence.

The changes meant a switch to a flat back four, with Mahmutovic and 16-year-old Nathan Wood forming an extremely youthful pairing at centre-half, and Rochdale threatened within four minutes of the restart. Calvin Andrew drilled in a fierce drive from the edge of the area, but Lonergan did well to tip the ball over the bar.

It was an important save, as Boro effectively put the game to bed as they scored their second goal five minutes later.

It was a classic striker’s effort, with Johnson standing up a cross from the left, and Hugill powering past the massed ranks of the Rochdale defence to plant home an eight-yard header.

The Teessider was substituted shortly after – another alteration with the trip to Elland Road in mind – and could be justifiably pleased with his evening’s work. Even at this early stage of his Boro career, he already looks more of a threat to Britt Assombalonga’s starting spot than Fletcher.

His replacement, Harry Chapman, came close himself within six minutes of coming on to the field, curling a low effort against the base of the post after the Rochdale defence failed to clear their lines.

Rochdale pulled a goal back with seven minutes left, Ryan Delaney prodding home from close range after Lonergan saved from Andrew, and Boro’s youthful defence were forced to survive a number of late scares.

Lonergan made two excellent late saves as Rochdale poured forward, and Mahmutovic produced a superb goalline clearance to keep out another goalbound effort from Delaney.