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Middlesbrough claimed a 1-0 victory over Wrexham at the Riverside on Friday evening to book their place in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Summer arrival Will Lankshear scored the game’s only goal for Boro in eye-catching fashion on the hour, his overhead kick flying into the far corner.

Kim Hellberg included three new signings in his starting XI for the match: American pair Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten, along with Lankshear, who enjoyed a strong individual campaign at Oxford United last season despite the club being relegated to League One. In contrast, Wrexham had just one new addition in their starting line-up, with Danny Imray deployed on the right flank, while Ben Whiteman and Bailey Cadamarteri were named on the bench.

Oliver Rathbone produced the first attempt of the game in the opening stages and arguably ought to have done better with his header, which went over the crossbar.

Imray was called into defensive action after five minutes when he put a cross behind for a corner, and from that situation Danny Ward had to make an outstanding save to keep out Adilson Malanda from close range. The summer signing nearly made an impact at the other end soon afterwards, but failed to make contact with Callum Doyle’s cross; had he connected, Wrexham would surely have gone ahead.

The best opening of the first half fell to Sam Smith, who did well to stay onside before seeing his effort smartly saved by Solomon Brynn. Rathbone then failed to hit the target again moments later, before Lewis O’Brien became the first player booked on the night as the teams went in level at the interval.

Lankshear tried his luck again early in the second half, but his effort sailed high and wide. Smith was then shown a yellow card in the 55th minute for simulation after racing through on goal and attempting to round Brynn.

The decisive moment arrived exactly on the hour, when Lankshear marked his debut with a spectacular finish into the far corner. Wrexham made their first substitution immediately afterwards, with Ryan Longman replacing Imray. Hellberg also made changes at the same point, sending on Kyle Joseph and George Edmundson in place of Arfsten and Jeremy Sarmiento. Soon after that, Lankshear committed a poor foul and was booked.

Whiteman and Cadamarteri were both handed their debuts in the 71st minute, coming on for Rathbone and Matty James. Kieffer Moore was also introduced in place of Smith for the remainder of the contest. Another debut followed for the Red Dragons as David Keillor-Dunne replaced Nathan Broadhead. Lankshear was later taken off for Finlay Cartwright.

Morgan Whittaker went close to doubling Boro’s lead late on, but his low shot struck the post before going behind for a goal kick. Dominic Hyam and Doyle were both shown yellow cards in the closing stages, as frustration grew for the Welsh side, who have now been knocked out of the competition.