Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka praised the performance of goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos in his side's 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest.

The 36-year-old made a string of saves and stopped a late Henri Lansbury penalty to help Boro earn their fifth win in a row in all competitions.

Karanka believes that his goalkeeper excelled and played a key part in helping Middlesbrough close the gap to Championship leaders Brighton & Hove Albion to three points.

The Spaniard told Sky Sports News: "Dimi is one of those players that is massive for me. When I arrived here he was the third keeper and he always was working to get his opportunity and he took it.

"Now he is the best so some can think we were lucky today but we were not lucky, we had Dimi."

Konstantopoulos has played eight times for Middlesbrough this season in the league, conceding five goals.