Aitor Karanka has insisted that Middlesbrough will "keep fighting" for an automatic promotion place to the Premier League despite being beaten by rivals Watford earlier today.

The Hornets claimed a 2-0 win in the Championship at Vicarage Park to move them back to the top of the table, a point ahead of Boro.

The manager told the club's website: "Today we could see how important the strikers are. The goals were the difference and without having a lot of clear cut chances, they scored two. Their strikers have scored a lot of goals this season and they took their chances today, but I'm very proud of all of my players.

"I never want to lose but when you play against a team like Watford, for us to be fighting against these teams after 40 games makes me proud and we will fight until the last second. I want to be positive. We have five games to go, we have to learn, we have to improve, and we have two home games to win.

"I am frustrated because I don't want to lose, but we have to be realistic and we will keep fighting. People know the character of this team."

Middlesbrough host Rotherham United in their next match.