Since Michael Carrick's appointment, the word used by and about the head coach more than any other has been 'calm', but even Boro's boss must have struggled to keep his emotions in check when Matt Crooks struck to turn what would have been a fine draw at Norwich into a brilliant victory.

For all Carrick described the trip to Carrow Road as Boro's next test rather than their biggest on the eve of the game, there's no doubting the fact this was the toughest challenge of his Riverside tenure so far. And how his side rose to the occasion.

Since conceding in the last minute of his opening game at Preston, Boro have now picked up 10 points from their last 12, the only dropped points coming against Bristol City in a fixture they undoubtedly deserved to win.

If the season started when Carrick took charge, Boro would be third, with only Sheffield United and Coventry City having picked up more points in their last five outings. Of course, in the whole scheme of things, that means nothing. But what it shows is just how much of an instant impact Carrick has had on Teesside.

What pleased him so much about the win at Carrow Road was Boro's ability to pass a different type of test. Not only was it the first time they'd come from behind to win under Carrick, but it was the first time they'd found themselves severely under the cosh, with Norwich at times exceptional in the opening stages after Josh Sargent's eighth minute opener, playing football which home boss Dean Smith described as some of the best he's seen during his time in charge.

But Boro hung in there, helped by a couple of shrewd tactical tweaks thought up by Carrick and first team coach Jonathan Woodgate.

Just before the halfway stage of the first half, with Boro a goal down and second best, Marcus Forss went down and needed treatment. That presented the players in blue with an opportunity to gather thoughts. They formed a huddle around Carrick near the technical area and the head coach tinkered with a couple of things.

“There was just a couple of things we spoke about in terms of Dael [Fry] changing his position in the build-up," Carrick explained afterwards.

"They were trying to press us so it was just trying to find a connection to release that pressure and I thought we did that well with Dael, Darragh [Lenihan] and Tommy [Smith] at times. We know Jonny [Howson] and Hayden [Hackney] will want to take the ball all the time and that makes a big difference. So we just had to make that tweak during the first half.

"Then we made a slight tweak at half-time in terms of our shape to try and get pressure on the ball. The boys were great though. They took it all on board and I thought the longer the first half went on, we were on the ball and we were really growing into the game. Second half was much the same. I thought we were terrific in the second half."

Against a Norwich side that were unbeaten in three themselves and just four points shy of the automatic promotion places before Saturday's game, Boro played fearless front foot football in the late stages of the first half and the majority of the second.

With former Canary Jonny Howson and the immense Hayden Hackney dictating play in the midfield and with Chuba Akpom finding pockets of space and causing problems up-top, Boro got a grip of the game.

The equaliser they deserved was a moment of pure class from Riley McGree, a bicycle kick into the top corner, Angus Gunn helpless.

McGree, who will this week link-up with the Australia squad for the World Cup, was replaced in the 90th minute by Matt Crooks, who hadn't touched the ball before he applied the finishing touch to a superb team move down the right, Akpom outstanding in making something from nothing, just as he did with the opening goal at Blackpool in midweek.

The goalscorers weren't the only heroes. Between the posts, Zack Steffen responded to his USA World Cup heartbreak with what his best performance in a Boro shirt.

The win sparked scenes of jubilation in the away end, enjoyed by fans, players and staff at full-time.

"I keep saying to you guys, the spirit between the players, staff and supporters, there's a real great energy and connection that we need to keep," said Carrick.

With such momentum, the break probably now comes at a bad time for Boro but for Carrick the last gasp winner was the dream way to sign off for the stoppage.

"It is the best way to win in terms of feelings and the buzz of it," said the head coach, who was again keen to make sure it was the players and his staff taking the credit rather than himself.

"I was delighted for the boys and the staff for the work they've all put in. It's always a bit of a funny time when someone new comes in but we've gelled quickly. For everyone to go into the break with a feeling like that, supporters included, is important."

Now for Boro and Carrick, a few weeks to calm down before it all starts again.