Michael Carrick's play-off race admission after Middlesbrough's 'massive' late win

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Michael Carrick admits Tommy Conway’s late goal for Middlesbrough was ‘massive’ for their hopes of making the top-six this season.

With just three games remaining, Boro were just four minutes away from being frustrated by Plymouth Argyle and only drawing 1-1 at the Riverside. It would have seen them end the day five points off the play-off places with just nine left to play for, as both Bristol City and Coventry City won.

But finding a way to win, Boro won a penalty in stoppage time, with Conway stepping up in the high-pressure moment and calmly slotting the ball home to secure three massive points for his side. While stopping short of admitting it would have been season over without the late winner, Carrick was clear in just how important it was.

“It was a massive goal,” the Boro head coach said. “It keeps us moving. It keeps us going along and keeps us there. Things can change rapidly, and even in that last few minutes with our goal, the picture changed again.

“I don’t know how the other results went in terms of when goals were scored – when we’re in the thick of it we don’t take notice of that – but we were in it to win it today. We knew we needed to take the points, and although it was late, it was worth it.”

It was a game that was going frustratingly to script for Boro, as far as their season is concerned. One up through Finn Azaz against his former side after just 12 minutes, they surrendered their lead just five minutes later while being caught out playing out from the back.

Though they largely dominated possession from that point, they struggled once again to break a low-block down and create many clear-cut opportunities. At the other end, Plymouth’s athleticism in attack left Boro vulnerable to the counter, with Mark Travers having to make a couple of important saves to keep his side in it.

Reflecting more on the game and performance, Carrick added: “It was one of those games we keep talking about at the end of the season where things can happen. We put ourselves in a great position, scored a really good goal and played some good football, but then we made a mistake and gave them a lifeline in the game.

“They were always dangerous, the way they play with counters and transitions, but we went for it. The boys kept going. It’s not easy, but you’ve got to keep believing. In the end, we found a way through.

“It was a hell of a ball from Kel, and Tommy got in a good position. It was a fantastic penalty under the circumstances from Tommy. We had to find a way, and the boys managed to do that.”

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