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Sky Bet Championship: Aitor Karanka apologises for red card in Middlesbrough draw

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
Image: Aitor Karanka: Frustrated but apologised for actions

Aitor Karanka apologised after being sent to the stands as Blackburn secured a controversial late 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.

Rovers striker Rudy Gestede powered in a 95th-minute leveller after Boro goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos appeared to have been fouled as he went up for a cross.

Middlesbrough players complained to referee Mark Clattenburg while Karanka and his backroom staff had words with fourth official David Coote.

Then Premier League ref Clattenburg made the decision to send Karanka down the tunnel early and the Spaniard was disappointed with himself for his reaction.

But the Middlesbrough boss remains furious at the decision to allow Gestede's goal to stand.

Karanka said: "It's very frustrating. I would like to apologise because my behaviour was not good and Middlesbrough Football Club deserves better from me. But it was tough to take because we had worked so hard for 92, 93 minutes and what we had worked so hard for was almost in our grasp.

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Middlesbrough and Blackburn shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Riverside after two goals in the final 10 minutes

"I was sent to the stands for pushing the fourth official but I was arguing with him, not touching him.

"I thought the goal should have been disallowed for a foul on the keeper."

Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer was understandably not too concerned about the decision because it earned a point that keeps his side in the top six.

Bowyer said: "I only saw the equaliser in real time. There was some commotion about it in real time and I saw Boro weren't happy about it but I wasn't concentrating on their goalkeeper. I was concentrating on the ball going into the back of the net."

Middlesbrough had created a number of great chances but were constantly prevented from taking the lead by Blackburn goalkeeper Simon Eastwood.

The 25-year-old had not started a game since January but he pulled off some brilliant saves; the pick being a close-range stop from Jelle Vossen's power header on the hour.

Bowyer said: "Simon Eastwood's save to stop Vossen was unbelievable and it was save of the season for me. It had goal written all over it. It was bang on the head from close range but he never gave up on it."

And Karanka, whose side eventually did go ahead in the 83rd minute when Patrick Bamford drilled through a crowded box, said: "It said everything that their man of the match was their keeper.

"Patrick looked very impressive and I can only see him getting better every day.

"We did everything well. The problem was their goal and I don't think the goal should have stood."

But in the end it was Bowyer who was the happier manager, adding: "The resilience and character of our side was great. We had the first chance and we hit the post late on and we got the benefit of our never say die attitude."

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