Boro still 'alive' despite Leeds loss says Carrick

Middlesbrough have to play both Millwall and Coventry away in their last five games

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick insists it is still all to play for in the last five games despite his side's narrow loss to Leeds United.

The home defeat was only a second in eight games - a run which has pushed Boro firmly back into the play-off picture.

They remain sixth but victory for Coventry City at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday will see the Sky Blues reassume the final play-off spot.

But the performance in pushing Leeds so close offers Carrick encouragement ahead of the run-in, which includes tricky away games at play-off dark horses Millwall and Coventry on the final day.

"A lot of our play and the creating of opportunities was really, really good," he said.

"But it's that final action which is the difference. They found it and we didn't quite find it.

"But everyone is really disappointed we didn't take anything out of the game after how we played and particularly after the start we had.

"We were the team pushing and pushing and pushing, especially in the second half, but we couldn't quite take the chances and that's football.

"We're disappointed because it's the result, but that shows where we are as a team. But it can't derail us and it doesn't change the season in many ways because the season is alive."