'Not a good run but there's a way out' - Carrick

Michael Carrick saw his side lose their fifth game in a row at Ashton Gate

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says there is "a way out" as his side fell to a fifth straight defeat against Bristol City.

Former Bristol City striker Tommy Conway had given Boro the lead but the loss means they remain 11th in the table, with just two wins in their past 12 games.

"It's not a good run at all. There's definitely a way out, for sure there's a way out," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"I think we've been up in a lot of games this season and we've not finished the game off and it was the same tonight.

"It could have been a lot different, it comes on me and we've got another game Tuesday – another really important game – and we've got to prepare ourselves and be fully ready for that."

Carrick also questioned the referee awarding Scott Twine a free-kick that led to Bristol City's second goal.

"I thought they had a bit of the ball but it didn't feel like they were hurting us and were getting frustrated and I thought we defended when we had to, and closed the space off well for the most part," he said.

"The first goal changes a little bit the swing of the game and then the second goal the free-kick that they get is just the totally, totally wrong decision."