'Final ball' was the difference for boss

MICHAEL Carrick rued his Middlesbrough side's inability to find that all-important final moment as they were beaten 1-0 by top-six rivals Millwall at the Den.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Pinpointing a pivotal 20 minute period at the start of the second half in which Boro lost their control of the game, they fell behind to a Camiel Neghli goal in the 65th minute. It followed a difficult 20 minutes from the restart, with strong Millwall appeals for a penalty, while Mark Travers had to make an excellent save to deny George Honeyman.

But with Boro unable to hold the hosts off, they had to spend the last 25 minutes chasing an equaliser that just wouldn't come. Much like the first half which they dominated they ultimately struggled to find the killer pass, cross or finish, as they fell to a costly defeat in the race for the top-six.