Michael Carrick insists his Middlesbrough side “did not deserve to lose” as they went down to Championship leaders Burnley at the Riverside.

Vincent Kompany’s Clarets side confirmed their promotion back to the Premier League as they won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ashley Barnes and Connor Roberts.

Chuba Akpom scored Boro’s goal from the penalty spot, and came close to securing a point as he flashed a close-range header wide in stoppage time.

The Teessiders rallied impressively at the start of the second half, and while they were unable to restore parity for a second time after Roberts converted Nathan Tella’s cross, Carrick was delighted with his players’ efforts.

The Boro boss said: “I don’t think we deserved to get beat tonight. I thought the boys played ever so well and I’m really proud of them for the effort they gave, the quality they showed and I thought it was a really quality level Championship game - as high as you can get.

“Both teams, not just in terms of the quality of the football, but the intensity, the out-of-possession as much as the in-possession, I thought it was a good test for both teams really.

READ MORE:

“I just feel for the lads that we didn’t get what we deserved from the game. I have to say, huge credit to Burnley as well. But I’m bitterly disappointed for my players, proud of them and couldn’t ask for anything more. We’ll certainly take a lot more from the game than we lose.”

Boro now head to Ashton Gate on Bank Holiday Monday to take on Bristol City, having suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season after the Burnley reverse followed a 4-2 loss at Huddersfield.

Carrick’s side are now nine points adrift of second-placed Sheffield United, having played a game more than the Blades, but the head coach insists he is not worried by his players’ form as they head towards what now looks like being a place in the play-offs.

He said: “I think we’ve got to take so much from the game. We pressed so well from the front and caused them a lot of problems. They have a lot of quality and are a good team. So, at some point, they will get through the press, stretch us a bit and create some opportunities.

“We’re disappointed with the second goal. I thought we looked good to that stage in the second half and then the goal comes from nowhere and kills us. It’s moments in big games that we need to learn from really - stay focused, keep our concentration and intensity.

“But that’s part of learning and being in positions where you are fighting for success. You need to learn what it takes, and we will be stronger for it, if and when we need it in the future.”