Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has admitted that Norwich City were worthy winners in today's Championship playoff final meeting, but insists that he is "proud" of his players despite defeat.

A slow start from the Smoggies, which was perhaps down to the team arriving later than planned due to heavy London traffic, proved costly as they fell to a 2-0 reverse.

"It's difficult because this team have done everything this season to get promotion," the Spaniard told Sky Sports News.

"They played better, they didn't make mistakes, we made two mistakes, and in a final you pay for those mistakes. But we have to be proud of the players and this crowd."

Boro's stay in the Championship will now stretch into a seventh year.