LISBON, Newcastle, Vilamoura, Marbella, Monaco - Radcliffe! writes Peter Collins

It's not often the town gets placed in such exalted company, but it was indeed the latest port of call for footballing legend Paul Gascoigne on Saturday, helping to swell the Stainton Park crowd to a record 1,703.

It was his sixth game in 14 days, yet the 37-year-old still managed the full 90 minutes and played a huge part in Boro's 2-1 defeat at the hands of a Manchester United Under-19 team, featuring players who could well be the footballing superstars of tomorrow.

"The second half we were the better team, we could have scored at least four goals, the Boro lads worked their nuts off," said 'Gazza.'

"What I really liked was the way they responded to me. I was not Paul Gascoigne the superstar, I was just another member of the team, and the whole club has been first class in the way it has treated me. Great bunch of lads, great manager, great club.

"I probably got more enjoyment from the game than anybody. I really love my football and I'm only sorry I couldn't entertain the spectators as well as I used to.

"But I showed one or two tricks and I gave it my all and I think people went away happy."

Gascoigne was due to be accompanied by former England skipper and United legend Bryan Robson. But he took ill and had to go to hospital on Friday night for tests.

Instead, another former Reds' favourite, Lee Sharpe stepped in at short notice.

Happy with his side's display, Boro boss Kevin Glendon said: "I watched that same United team play Stalybridge last Tuesday, they were 3-0 up at half-time and it could have been five or six, but today I thought we had the best chances early on and could have been in front. We were terrific.

"Gazza showed all is old enthusiasm and put in some lovely passes and had a hand in our goal, and Lee Sharpe did well for us too and showed he can still play.

"Having Paul play brought people in who normally wouldn't have come, and we've forged a really good relationship with him.

"Not only has he played for us, he's also agreed to be guest of honour at our Golf Day next April and bring a few more celebrities with him, which can only be good for the club."

Boro could have been ahead as early as the third minute, when Rory Patterson set-up Scott Wilson. Phil Denney lunged to meet his cross but failing by a matter of inches.

Lee Duffy's stinging half-volley then thundered off the United bar.

Gascoigne had a quiet start, but still managed to show his class, spraying long range passes to his new teammates with ease.

The speed and quality of the United play was evident when Danny Hurst twice raced off his line to smother the approaching danger.

But there was nothing he could do with the Reds' opener.

The ball found Ritchie Jones 30 yards out from the Boro goal, and his shot screamed into the top right-hand corner of Hurst's net, giving the Boro keeper no chance.

Denney was again denied by a diving save from United keeper Tommy Heaton before the Reds extended their lead after 27 minutes, when Colin Heath nudged the ball in from close range.

Patterson then again showed skill to force two further saves out of Heaton before the half-time whistle was blown.

Boro began the second half by introducing Josh Mitten for Denney, Steve Foster for Patterson and Lee Sharpe for Wilson, and immediately went on the offensive, with Gascoigne prompting the attack with some finely weighted passes.

On 58 minutes Steve Foster sent Mitten through, but he was beaten in the chase for the ball by the United keeper.

Gascoigne then fed Mitten, whose shot went straight at the custodian.

But on 67 minutes Boro finally got the goal they deserved, and it was started by Gascoigne.

He picked the ball up out on the right and took it into the middle before finding Heald on the left.

Heald in turn saw Steve Foster slip his marker and his low cross found the tenacious striker who tapped in from the six yard line.

On 71 minutes United almost made it three, but a superb point-blank save from Boro's youth team keeper Barry George, followed seconds later by a goal-line clearance by Kelly, denied them.

Three minutes later George was down well again to gobble up a low drive.

Steve Foster thought he'd equalised in the 72nd minute, only to see his looping shot rebound off the United bar.

Mitten was then presented with a free header but nodded it straight at the keeper.

Minutes later he again looked certain to score.

With the United keeper off his line and out of position he only had a defender to beat, but instead of chipping the ball over him he fired it straight at him.

But the result wasn't the important thing, the performance and the presence of Gascoigne, Sharpe and the United stars of tomorrow, was.

"It's not many managers at this level that can say they've had Paul in their side, it was an honour and a privilege," said Glendon.

"But perhaps more importantly I've been impressed with my own lads, especially their attitude and work ethic in the five friendlies against league sides.

"And against United we were also able to have a look at Stephen Hill, another lad released by Rochdale."

It was then on to tonight's visit of Southport, kick-off 7.30pm.

"It will give us the best indication yet of how far we've come, because we played them last season in the Unibond. They got promoted to the Conference North, we didn't."

As for Gazza, it would appear a coaching career beckons.

"I'm hoping to sign for third division Boston United as player-coach," he said.

"I really want British kids to come through and play professionally because we've got too many foreigners in the game.

"If I can help them to progress and make a living from football I'll be happy."

BORO: Hurst, Duffy, Heald, Kelly, J.Foster, Wilson, Carden, Gascoigne, Denney, Patterson, Price. Subs: Sharpe, Luker, Mitten, S.Foster, Spencer, Evans, Hill, George.