Sunday 22 February 2015 15:53, UK
Aitor Karanka urged Middlesbrough to immediately bounce back after a 1-0 home loss to Leeds hurt their Sky Bet Championship title hopes.
Alex Mowatt's third-minute goal meant Boro, who entered Saturday's early kick-off one point clear at the top of the table, slumped to a first home defeat since August.
The result was welcome news for Middlesbrough's main title rivals Derby and Bournemouth, who were playing later in the day.
But while frustrated at dropping points in a game his side dominated, Karanka knows his men have a chance to make amends when Bolton visit the Riverside on Tuesday night.
He said: "Today is the kind of day you cannot explain. We are frustrated because we have done everything to win this game and we haven't won it.
"I can't say anything bad about my players because they have done their best. We now have to think about Tuesday against Bolton.
"I thought the performance was very good. I don't know how many chances we had. However, we have an important game on Tuesday.
"The best thing is to play again on Tuesday, especially at home. This team always reacts very well after a defeat."
The game was doubly frustrating given Middlesbrough only rose to the summit following Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Birmingham.
Karanka added: "It's difficult to get into first and it's difficult to stay there.
"But we have two months ahead and we are capable of doing this job (gaining promotion).
"We have to keep working in the same way because we're doing really well."
Karanka's disappointment was exacerbated late on when he saw Jelle Vossen stretchered off with what appeared a serious head injury.
Asked about the Belgian's condition, Karanka replied: "I don't know. The doctor is with him so we don't know whether it's going to be something serious at the moment.
"Hopefully it is nothing serious and he is better soon."
Opposite number Neil Redfearn called on Leeds, who have an outside chance of securing a play-off place, to keep their feet on the ground.
The Yorkshire side have now lost just one of their last eight fixtures, with Saturday's result a third successive win.
"It's very satisfying," he said. "But we have got to make sure we don't get carried away with ourselves.
"We are a young side and we have been through a lot of adversity. We are going to get better and better.
"We are enjoying what we're doing at the moment but we know you cannot take anything for granted in this division.
"It's a tough division to get out of. I think Middlesbrough are the favourites; they are a complete side.
"(Reaching the play-offs) is a tall ask but while there are points to play for there is no reason not to aim as high as you can."
