A FRANK Matthew Bates admits his Middlesbrough team-mates left Southampton's St Mary's Stadium on Saturday evening with their pride significantly dented.

The Teessiders travelled to the south coast hoping to usurp their opponents at the top of the Championship table, but suffered a chastening afternoon in which they were comprehensively outplayed en route to a 3-0 defeat.

Having only conceded six goals in their previous three away matches, Boro saw that tally double in the space of 90 uncomfortable minutes, and Bates admits his side did not meet the defensive standards they had set in the remainder of the campaign.

“It was a very painful afternoon,” said the Middlesbrough skipper. “I was rested for the Forest game (when Boro lost 2-0) so I don't really know how that felt afterwards, but it's been a while since I felt like that after a match.

“It's come as a bit of a shock to the system. We've worked very hard to keep clean sheets, but this just wasn't our day. We didn't perform as we know we can and it's difficult to take. The pride has definitely taken a bit of a dent.”

In particular, Boro struggled to deal with the pace and power of Saints striker Rickie Lambert, who laid on the final two goals and is emerging as one of the most effective centre-forwards in the Championship.

“They were good, especially Lambert up front,” said Bates. “He's good in the air, but he's also got really good feet and you don't get that combination too many times in a player.

“They look well drilled. They know what they're doing and they knew how to defend. They had answers for everything we gave them, so credit has to go to them, they're top of the league for a reason and they showed that.”

At least Boro do not have to wait long to get Saturday's no-show out of their system as they travel to the Keepmoat Stadium to take on Doncaster Rovers tomorrow.

There was no recurrence of the foot injury that sidelined Bates for two matches earlier this month, so the centre-half is looking forward to righting a few wrongs in south Yorkshire.

“We're in a little bit of a sticky patch, so we need to stick together and make sure we turn the losses into draws and the draws into wins,” he said. “We go to Doncaster and, with the greatest of respect, it's a game we feel that if we get back to our old ways and play well, we should win.

“Then we have another home game after that (against Watford). Let's not get too down. If we get six points out of the next two matches, we'll still be in a good position going into the break.”