Aitor Karanka has insisted that Middlesbrough will "keep fighting" for an automatic promotion place to the Premier League despite being beaten by rivals Watford earlier today.
The Hornets claimed a 2-0 win in the Championship at Vicarage Park to move them back to the top of the table, a point ahead of Boro.
The manager told the club's website: "Today we could see how important the strikers are. The goals were the difference and without having a lot of clear cut chances, they scored two. Their strikers have scored a lot of goals this season and they took their chances today, but I'm very proud of all of my players.
"I never want to lose but when you play against a team like Watford, for us to be fighting against these teams after 40 games makes me proud and we will fight until the last second. I want to be positive. We have five games to go, we have to learn, we have to improve, and we have two home games to win.
"I am frustrated because I don't want to lose, but we have to be realistic and we will keep fighting. People know the character of this team."
Middlesbrough host Rotherham United in their next match.
Sian Cowper
