Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan was handed a double boost when long-term absentees Chris Riggott and Andrew Taylor returned to action.

Riggott, 29, got 70 minutes under his belt in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Newcastle after two bouts of ankle surgery.

The former Derby defender has been out of the first-team picture since a 1-0 defeat at Manchester City in February.

England Under-21 international Taylor, who damaged ankle ligaments in the 3-1 victory over Ipswich on September 12, played the full 90 minutes.

Nathan Porritt put a Boro side also including Danny Coyne, Tony McMahon, Jonathan Grounds and Joe Bennett, into the lead but Kazenga LuaLua's equaliser ensured the Magpies claimed a share of the spoils.