Sunderland 3-2 Middlesbrough

Apr 27 2008

GUTTED Gareth Southgate refused to lay into his stars after a last-gasp Daryl Murphy header left them in the relegation battle. The Middlesbrough boss saw his side narrowly beaten in a close fought clash but insists they have the quality to avoid the drop.

He said: "It was cruel to lose a late goal but I can't fault the effort of the players today.

"Mistakes have cost us and we're disappointed but I've got a great group of lads - this setback will only make us stronger."

Tuncay Sanli fired Boro ahead after just four minutes with Danny Higginbotham levelling less than two minutes later.

Sunderland then took the lead when Michael Chopra nodded in a minute after the break.

Brazilian striker Afonso Alves equalised for Boro in 73 minutes but super-sub Murphy stole the win, and safety, in 92 minutes.