Wednesday 18 February 2015 23:54, UK
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka praised the spirit of his 10-man team after they moved to the top of the Championship with a battling 1-1 draw at Birmingham City.
Patrick Bamford's 74th-minute equaliser capped a storming second-half display by Middlesbrough - and earned them the point they needed to become league leaders.
They had looked to be heading to their first defeat in nine Championship games when Paul Caddis gave Birmingham the lead from the spot and Middlesbrough were reduced to 10-men after goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos was sent-off for conceding the penalty.
"In the second-half we did not have anything to lose and we played in the way that we usually play, aggressive, confident and consistent and it was easier," Karanka said.
"It is a very important point as finally we are top of the table and this group of players have been working for six, seven months and all of them deserve to be in this position and now we have to defend it.
"I remember when we played for the first position at home against Bournemouth and I could feel the players a bit under pressure. Today again the players who are very, very consistent and very, very confident, I felt they were under pressure in the first half.
"That is why I was disappointed at half-time because when we play the way I know we can play it is very difficult to beat us.
"But finally we had a point and now we are alone at the top of table and so I am very, very happy.
"The second half is the way that we have been playing all season and we showed everyone the team that Middlesbrough is."
Karanka is banking on Middlesbrough staying at the top and he added: "I am confident because of the work that the players are doing.
"They have been working every single day to reach this position and now we are in this position we have to defend especially with the character that we showed in the second half."
Birmingham, who have now drawn five and lost one of their last six league games, could have done with a morale boosting win little more than 24 hours after their parent company, Birmingham International Holdings Limited, had gone into receivership.
Manager Gary Rowett was upset with his side's second-half display but insists that he is not overly concerned by the threat of any potential action from the Football League after BIHL went into receivership.
"Had you of asked me before the game would I be pleased with a point I would have said of course but after (Middlesbrough) going down to 10-men and being 1-0 up I am disappointed we did not take all three points," Rowett said.
As for off the field concerns, and the potential deduction of 10 points, Rowett added: "I can't control that and I said that to the players. Off the pitch we can't control what happens.
"The news the days before the game I just think it spread a bit of negativity among the staff and the players initially.
"But if it needs to be done to move the club forward so be it. We just have to concentrate on what we do.
"If the worst comes to the worst and we lose 10 points, which I don't think it will, we will crack on. I don't think it will come to that. I think the club is financially stable.
"It is more a situation with the parent company and hopefully that shouldn't affect the day to day running of the club. I am not worried about that we just have to focus on winning games again."
