AITOR KARANKA was proud of aspects of Middlesbrough's display at the John Smith's Stadium last night where Albert Adomah grabbed two goals to prevent defeat.

Despite ending the long wait for an away goal against Huddersfield, Boro were in the end relieved with a point after falling behind twice courtesy of first half goals from Adam Hammill and Nahki Wells before claiming a 2-2 draw.

Adomah, who was gifted his first to grab Middlesbrough's first goal on their travels since January 11, drilled in a second equaliser moments after half-time to prevent defeat.

Karanka said: “I'm happy because we didn't start well, but I think it was a difficult day after what happened at Middlesbrough on Saturday when we lost to QPR.

“We had a hard game that and we started badly here. We changed it at half-time and they knew how to play like a team after that.

“They played together. They put pressure on their team and I'm happy with Albert scoring two goals. The people who came from Middlesbrough can be happy with the effort of my players.

“Our goals were from mistakes and this is the Championship, but so were theirs. We need to know where we made mistakes and we need to learn and improve on those.”

Middlesbrough have now won just one of their last 12 Championship matches, which has seen them drop well off the pace in the race for a play-off spot.

While they cut the gap to 13 points to the top six last night courtesy of the draw with the Terriers, there are only eight matches remaining. A promotion party come May appears highly unlikely.

Karanka said: “I have told them that if we lose games like against QPR on Saturday or Leeds, Blackburn or Nottingham then we can't be too disappointed. But they can improve. There was nothing too much wrong with those. All I ask is they work 100 per cent every day.”

Middlesbrough striker Kei Kamara was missing last night because of a knock suffered in Saturday's defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

But Karanka was pleased with the attacking output of a team which has been struggling to score goals. Adomah's double was the first time Middlesbrough have scored away from home since mid-January.

The Ghana international remains the team's top scorer and there is even greater onus on him now that Mustapha Carayol is sidelined until next season.

Karanka, whose side face Brighton on Saturday, said: “I am very happy with Albert, pleased with him because two or three months ago he was not good but his reaction has been perfect.

“He has scored two goals and we have said in the changing room that he was very good on the pitch and in the dressing room.

“It is possible we need him more because of Carayol's injury. He is an international player and he knows the team needs more from him. He was perfect here and hopefully he can build on that.”