Boro boss Neil Warnock named a strong starting XI for the first half against the non-league side, before changing all eleven players at the interval.
New signing Uche Ikpeazu put the visitors ahead with a stunning strike inside nine minutes, before second-half goals from Djed Spence and teenage winger Jeremy Sivi sealed the win.
Boro will now head to Cornwall for a week-long training camp, w
here they’ll play three friendly matches against non-league sides Saltash United and Tavistock AFC as well as League One outfit Plymouth Argyle.
Warnock’s side will also face York City and Rotherham United before their Championship opener at Fulham on Sunday, August 8.
While it’s hard to draw too many conclusions from the Bishop Auckland fixture – there were certainly some encouraging signs for the visitors.
. MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND - APRIL 05: Paddy McNair of Middlesbrough in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Watford at Riverside Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Middlesbrough, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Middlesbrough midfielder Paddy McNair. Photo: Stu Forster
. Joe Lumley - 6
Didn’t have much to do apart from a few punches from corners. 6 Photo: Getty Images
. Anfernee Dijksteel - 7
Was encouraged to get forward from right-back but was a little hesitant to venture forward into the box. 7 Photo: George Wood
. Grant Hall - 7
A comfortable evening where he was allowed to pass the ball out from the back with little pressure. 7 Photo: Stu Forster
. Dael Fry - 7
Made a few well-timed tackles on the rare occasions when Bishop Auckland did manage to break forward. 7 Photo: Getty Images
. Hayden Coulson - 7
Looked to get forward from left-back and had a few efforts at goal which missed the target. 7 Photo: George Wood
. Paddy McNair - 8
Sprayed some fine passes to his team-mates from a deep-lying midfield role. Delivered some inviting set-pieces too. 8 Photo: Stu Forster
. Sam Morsy - 7
Was told to push further forward by Warnock as he operated alongside McNair in midfield. Against this opposition, there was license for one of them to push on. 7 Photo: Catherine Ivill
1. Joe Lumley - 6
Didn’t have much to do apart from a few punches from corners. 6 Photo: Getty Images
2. Anfernee Dijksteel - 7
Was encouraged to get forward from right-back but was a little hesitant to venture forward into the box. 7 Photo: George Wood
3. Grant Hall - 7
A comfortable evening where he was allowed to pass the ball out from the back with little pressure. 7 Photo: Stu Forster
4. Dael Fry - 7
Made a few well-timed tackles on the rare occasions when Bishop Auckland did manage to break forward. 7 Photo: Getty Images