MARK PROCTOR has admitted that Middlesbrough were convinced their play-off hopes were dead after failing to beat Doncaster Rovers last week, but insists that the players are not feeling the pressure ahead of their must-win game at Watford on Saturday.

Seventh-place Boro's play-off hopes hinge on victory at Vicarage Road this weekend while Cardiff City need to lose at Crystal Palace, and first-team coach Proctor is confident that Boro can keep up their side of the bargain and grasp their second chance with both hands.

"On the back of the win at the weekend and the lifeline we got from Cardiff, it's given everyone a lift," said Proctor.

"To be brutally honest, after the Doncaster game we were all majorly disappointed and we thought we'd missed our opportunity.

"The pressure's been eased a bit now. There was pressure prior to the Doncaster match, or maybe a few weeks before that, where we were in a position of strength, but results have been drifting away from us and the last couple of weeks has seen us in a position where we might not make the play-offs.

"To get this opportunity again on Saturday, it's an opportunity that won't bring extra pressure because it's a shot for nothing, almost."

After a season where Boro have not fallen below eighth place, spending time at the top of the table or in the second promotion spot, the play-offs were soon classed as a minimum requirement, a fall-back in case Tony Mowbray's side could not keep up the pace.

However, a string of poor results after Christmas looked like scuppering Boro's chances altogether.

Proctor is at least pleased that all is not lost and they have a lifeline - but has warned that Watford will be no easy targets.

"It would have been really disappointing if we'd missed out altogether, said Proctor, who was launching Middlesbrough's SABIC 5k Riverside Run and Asda 2k Fun Run, taking place on Sunday May 13.

"We've been in the top six for eight months of the season. We've slipped away in the last few months but we've managed to maintain a top eight position, we've always been there or thereabouts.

"If we go to the last game and we're not able to do it, it will be massively, massively disappointing.

"To go to the last game with something to play for is good, but can we win the game?",.

"We've watched them this week, they're a young energetic side who will be very difficult on the day, I'm sure.

"We've got it all to play for. They're in mid-table, they're not exactly coasting along, we're preparing for a difficult game but it's a game we think we can win.

"If Cardiff slip up we're going to jump on that opportunity."

While Mowbray stated at the weekend that they will not be keeping track on goings on at Selhurst Park, Proctor said: "We'll know by the crowd.

"There's going to be 2,000 Middlesbrough fans coming down and if we see them jumping at a strange time that is going to tell us that results are going our way. If it remains quiet it will tell us that it's not going our way. So we'll know either way."

Middlesbrough's away record has been their saving grace, providing the Teessiders with valuable points which only served to compensate for their inferior home form, and Proctor believes that their record on the road will count in their favour on Saturday

He said: "Our away form has been very good all season. Ten away wins speaks for itself, unfortunately the reason why we're not already in the play-offs is our home form. With it being an away game it does help.

"I'd rather be in Cardiff's position because they're two points better off. I'm not sure which will be the easier game. They're both tough games.

"We've been to Palace, they're a young vibrant side who are difficult to beat, and we know what to expect from Watford.

"We'll both try and do what we need to do and hopefully results will go our way."