Carl Piergianni says more goals from elsewhere in the team is a must this season - hence the satisfaction of strikes from him and central defensive partner Dan Sweeney against Watford.

Both were scored with the final touch of the half in the 2-2 draw, the skipper heading home to cancel out a Kwadwo Bahh opener in the first half, while Sweeney volleyed in a beauty right at the death after Imran Louza had scored a penalty on 50 minutes for the Hornets.

Not relying on the efforts of Jamie Reid could be key going into the new League One campaign and it is something manager Alex Revell has pinpointed in pre-season.

"It was pleasing to get the goal at the end because we deserved something out of the game," said Piergianni.

"I can't believe Sweens has gone and done that. And taking all the credit hasn't him. But that's a great strike. 

"We've always been dangerous from set pieces so it's good for us to go and get the goals. 

"And they will come. I'm sure most of us, barring Reidy are probably disappointed with our goal tally for last year. 

"We all know we can chip in with more goals and if we all do that, if we get those extra few goals, we know we'll be in a great position. 

"It's important we do work on that and the gaffer has been, training to get more bodies into the box and how we can break teams down.  

"It's still early days, but you know it's all looking positive." 

In terms of a contest, it was one the skipper said was needed, and it produced the required response from the Boro squad.

He said: "It was a good run out and nice to be back home at the Lamex in front of the fans.

"Watford a good side and they tested us in ways we wanted to be tested. 

"They moved us about quite a bit but I also thought we were good when we got our press on, we looked dangerous when we got that pass off and attacked them. 

"I thought we looked threatening from open play as well. 

"When we got down the sides of them, we looked dangerous in behind and put good quality into the box." 

It was also a chance for Piergianni to play alongside new signing Lewis Freestone, the former Cheltenham Town filling in at left-back.

That could be something that will happen on occasions this season.

The skipper said: "I thought he settled in really well. It's the first time Lewis and I have played together and it was a difficult game for him to come into because Watford are trying to move you about all the time.  

"But I thought he dealt with it well and he and he showed his qualities when called upon. 

"He's only going to get better for us." 

Boro will now pack their bags and head to the Channel Islands for a few days before a game with Jersey Bulls.

That will not only bring a fresh environment for the team to continue their pre-season exertions, it will also allow the squad to bond even more, something Piergianni is looking forward to.

He said: "Most of the boys were here from last year but it's going to be nice for the new lads to get away with us and spend some good quality time together. 

"It’ll just bring the whole group a little bit closer but you've only got to come down and see our training sessions. Everyone's bouncing around. 

"We've always said, the characters we've got in this group are great and I think the four new lads have come in and really got on board with that as well.  

"They've been grafting with us and really jumped right in with the team spirit.  

"We're looking forward to a few hard days of training out in Jersey and a game at the end to top it off. 

"It's all good so far and hopefully we can carry on and keep moving in the right direction as we get closer to the season."