MICHAEL Carrick apologised to Millwall for Middlesbrough's late arrival at The Den - but hailed his players for the way they dealt with their nightmare journey to the ground.

It took Boro an hour and a half to travel two miles from the team hotel and after arriving at the ground at 2.20pm, it was agreed that kick-off would be put back to 3.15pm.

Boro started sluggishly against an impressive Millwall side, who took the lead after 10 minutes through Joe Bryan. But Carrick's side levelled through Lukas Engel before the break before Isaiah Jones fired the visitors in front in the second half and substitute Marcus Forss wrapped up the victory in stoppage time.

Carrick said the delay was "no big drama" but admitted Boro will be doing their homework to make sure there's no repeat ahead of the Chelsea Carabao Cup semi-final second leg later this month.

"An half and a half it took us from Canary Wharf, that's London for you," laughed Boro's head coach.

"It's not ideal but in some ways it just makes you get on with the game a bit quicker.

"We'll have to think about that going into next week."

Asked whether Carrick brought forward his teamtalk and addressed his players on the coach, he said: "Nah, not really. You can get yourself wrapped up and be panicky, it is what it is, the boys had plenty of time to warm up still.

"It was no big drama but it was unfortunate and we apologise for being late, I don't like doing it and having to knock the kick-off back but it was out of our hands with the tunnel being closed and the traffic being like it was."

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The late arrival wasn't the only setback for Boro, who were without Josh Coburn through injury and suffered that nightmare start - all of which made the comeback even more impressive.

Carrick said: “I’m delighted with the boys. It wasn’t easy for the boys.

"It was a very dangerous game in many ways and it would have been easy to let that one slip today and use Tuesday as an excuse. We spoke about that going into the game. We weren’t quite at it, but I don’t think that was to do with the attitude of the boys.

"It was a little bit tactical and a little bit of not being able to find that spark early on. Credit to them too, they’re a good team and Joe (Edwards) has got them playing really well.

"They’re well-organised so we knew it would be a challenge. We found ourselves 1-0 down but found our way into the game the longer it went and in the end, I’m delighted. I think the boys earned it by showing good spirit, showing good quality at times, the bench made a difference too which we’ve missed recently.

“Today felt an important one to keep it rolling after the week we’ve had. It’s a tough place to come at the best of times anyway. But the boys found a way. It was different. The boys defended ever so well second half after we made a couple of tweaks at half time. We looked pretty solid after and then the boys coming on made a difference and looked solid on the break. It was a good mix."