Middlesbrough exited the Worthington Cup after being comprehensively outclassed by First Division strugglers Ipswich.

Joe Royle's team never looked back after taking a second-minute lead at Portman Road, and the contest was all but over by half-time.

Steve McClaren chose a second-string team which included debutant 17-year-old centre-back Andrew Davies and paid the price.

After starting a move in his own half, Danish defender Thomas Gaardsoe burst past Robbie Stockdale on the edge of the box and beat Mark Crossley with a left-foot shot.

Ipswich grabbed a second goal when George fed Tommy Miller, whose pass allowed Jamie Clapham to collect without breaking stride and beat Crossley from 18 yards.

A minute before half-time Colin Cooper's misplaced pass was seized upon by Fabian Wilnis whose cross was powerfully headed home by Darren Bent.

After the break Ipswich continued to pose the greater threat with Bent Boro's chief tormentor in chief.

Only a desperate clearance snuffed out a chance for the teenager three minutes in as Wilnis' cross-shot caused mayhem.

Middlesbrough should have registered a consolation 10 minutes from the end of a subdued second period, but the unmarked Luke Wilkshire somehow prodded wide.

Bent produced another moment of brilliance curling a 25-yard effort against the underside of the crossbar.

Boro finally did decrease the deficit three minutes from time when Franck Queudrue beatJames Pullen with a well-placed cross-shot.

Ipswich: Pullen, Makin, Gaardsoe, Venus, Hreidarsson, Wilnis, Miller, Wright, Clapham, George, Darren Bent. Subs: Marshall, Bloomfield, Westlake, Richards, Logan.

Middlesbrough: Crossley, Stockdale, Davies, Cooper, Vidmar, Wilkshire, Wilson, Marinelli, Queudrue, Nemeth, Johnston. Subs: Close, Gulliver, Cade, Dove, Russell.

Referee: E Wolstenholme (Lancashire).