MICHAEL Carrick felt the 2-2 draw at Bristol City "summed up" recent displays from his Middlesbrough side, who did a lot that pleased the head coach but paid the price for some costly lapses.

Boro trailed 2-0 at Ashton Gate after conceding two poor and avoidable goals but came fighting back to snatch a point thanks to a quickfire double from Aaron Ramsey and Matt Crooks.

And it was that battling response to salvage something from a game that looked lost that most pleased Carrick.

“I think we can be happy with the reaction," said the head coach.

"I think the game kind of summed up our recent weeks in some ways with a lot of good things throughout the game overall but then moments that cost us.

"I can’t fault the boys’ commitment and effort and character. When you’ve won games it’s easy to say that, but I think it shows through more when you’re having a slightly tougher spell. So I can’t fault that.

"It’s just the finer details and moments in games that we need to nip in the bud and learn from because it’s costing us at the minute. But we will learn from it."

From a defensive point of view, both Bristol City goals will disappoint Boro. For the first, Sam Bell had the time and space to pick his spot in the box and the second was a result of a string of Boro errors. Carrick will work on eradicating those costly moments, but also takes heart from the display.

He said: “The character was there to see, but I thought the quality as well.

"I thought some of the football was really good at times - we played some really good stuff.

"It’s just the moments in the goals we’re conceding. There were plenty of times where we worked it well and it was just a final pass that didn’t quite work for us. So, of course, the character is great, but there was some good stuff from us as well."

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Carrick always knew his side were in for a tough test against Bristol City, who are now eight unbeaten in the league on home turf.

He said: "We had a huge chance early on through Chuba which would have put us in a really good position.

"They’re a dangerous team and then that swirling wind is a factor when they’re putting balls in behind.

"They’re quick and run in behind so it’s not easy to see off for a full game. I thought we managed it well for long spells, but there were a couple of spells where we didn’t. They’re a dangerous team."

The battling point leaves Boro with a six-point buffer on seventh placed Preston ahead of Friday night's visit of play-off chasing Norwich City.