Athletic continued their pre season build up with another behind closed doors game at Middlesbrough for whom Maccarone was playing. In the first half Fitz Hall (pictured) almost gave the Latics the lead when he cracked an 18 yard drive at keeper Mark Crossley. The ball bounced off the keeper and was somehow scrambled away. In the second half the Latics again had the better chances, a David Eyres freekick and a Tony Carss shot being the best scoring chances of the game. Athletic dominated the game so much that keeper Les Pogliacomi was a virtual spectator.
After the match Tony Philliskirk commented, “It was very good and we are delighted with the performance. We were compact and strong and we defended well as a team. It is great to have got another clean sheet following on from the Burnley game and considering the talent Middlesbrough have in their side including Maccarone and we probably had the better chances. It was another good work out and a test of the fitness as Middlesbrough were very good at keeping the ball."