GEORGE Boateng cut a dejected figure as he left the pitch after Middlesbrough's draw with Fulham.

The 26-year-old midfielder walked off holding his shirt up to his eyes, despondent at the way his side had let slip a two-goal lead against Jean Tigana's men.

But Boro chief Steve McClaren revealed his summer capture from Aston Villa was not the only player in the dressing room feeling like he did.

McClaren admitted: "They are disappointed with themselves and with each other.

"It was a tremendous reaction we got in there. Conceding two goals, so late on really hurt them.

"I was pleased with the reaction and we need to take that reaction and make sure it does not happen again.

"I thought the two centre-backs were immaculate for us, as well as the two full-backs and the keeper.

"We had chances to put the game beyond them but we failed to convert those and in the end we got punished."

McClaren is convinced that midfielder Jonathan Greening can keep up the form he showed against Fulham.

Greening had one of his best games for Boro in the 2-2 draw playing his part in both of Massimo Maccarone's goals.

And McClaren is hopeful that Greening and the rest of the squad will now go on to create more chances for the club's strikers more regularly.

"Last year we could not score enough goals," said the Boro boss. "And I did not think we played the type of football that we played on Saturday.

"It's very encouraging and we do take heart from that because we have entertained the neutral fans and that's what we are aiming to do.

"If we can keep playing that type of football we will do OK.

"Every player did well, it was just the lack of concentration late on that cost us.

"Jon Greening and Carlos Marinelli had good games. Greening deserves credit for the way he crossed for Massimo's goal. They all have to make sure they keep that up now."

Meanwhile, McClaren is reportedly trying to push through a deal for Derby County's Malcolm Christie.

The Boro chief has already spent £19.45m this summer, but he is understood to want Christie before next Saturday's transfer deadline.

Cash-strapped Derby are thought to be willing to offload the young striker for less than the £7m valuation price.

And there have been suggestions McClaren has already offered £4.5m for the striker.

United States World Cup star DaMarcus Beasley is also thought to be on McClaren's wanted list.