Michael Carrick laments blunt Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough looked to be turning a corner after a poor run of form left fans doubting their play-off credentials.

However, a second consecutive 1-0 defeat, this time to Millwall, squandered the chance to climb into sixth place above Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion.

The Lions’ club record signing Camiel Neghli came off the bench to score the winner, although he later had to go off injured.

Boro boss Michael Carrick gave his thoughts on the game afterwards.

DECISIONS: Carrick

Carrick: We just didn’t have that final action

He said: “They had a spell for about 20 minutes after half-time and they built a bit of momentum.

“Credit to them, they made us defend and they made the most of the time when they were on top.

“I thought first half, largely, we were really good, actually, coming here and controlling things and I thought we caused them a lot of problems in playing through the pitch.

“We just didn’t have that final action, our decision to make that chance.

“I thought we created enough space, good opportunities, but we couldn’t make the most of it.

“That spell after half-time, they made the most of it, they took the chance that they got and in the end that was the game.

“We had that chance for Marcus at the end, which was a great save, but we didn’t quite have that little bit of something to open them up even more.”

With just four league matches left to go, Carrick must get his side firing to bridge the two-point gap to the playoff zone.

READ MORE: Millwall 1-0 Middlesbrough: Camiel Neghli’s cameo leads play-off charge