AITOR KARANKA thinks Middlesbrough’s climb into the Championship’s top two has given the town a lift, but has warned of complacency after watching an impressive winning run come to an end.

A healthy five-point gap to third place was reduced to just two courtesy of Saturday’s 2-0 reversal at Reading, where Steve Clarke’s Royals increased the pressure on Boro.

Things have now tightened up considerably just ten games into the season, with only five points separating Middlesbrough in second spot with Ipswich in 12th.

Having got Boro off to a bright start, Karanka is desperate to see that continue when his team return to action at home to Fulham on October 17.

“I think it's good for us, good for the club, good for the city and especially good for the people, especially now in this difficult moment it is good to be in that position we are in,” said Karanka.

“But we have to keep working hard to keep going in the same way because we are going well at the moment but football is football and everything can change. We are only in October and have to keep working hard.”

The New Zealand World Cup team, who face Tonga in Newcastle on Friday, visited Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training headquarters yesterday when they were given a tour of the facilities – and Albert Adomah even demonstrated his own version of the All Blacks’ famous Haka.

Boro’s push for promotion has provided a bright spot given the frustrations felt by Newcastle and Sunderland in the Premier League.

Asked if he would like to see all three teams in the top-flight next season, Karanka said: “My concern is with Middlesbrough Football Club. If Middlesbrough are in the Premier League ... I prefer people to be happy in the area but my people are my concern.

“My people are pleased with the team, with the club, with everything so this is my commitment, it's my people.”

Boro's Under-21s bounced back from two goals down to earn a 3-3 draw in an exciting Final Third Development League Cup opener against Hartlepool at Billingham Town yesterday.

Scott Fenwick and Dutch trialist Sem de Wit, a centre-half, put Pools ahead at Bedford Terrace only for Hartlepool-born Harry Chapman to pull one back before half-time.

Then a brilliant strike from Mark Kitching pulled things level before Brad Fewster hit a quick penalty to edge Boro ahead.

It had looked as if that might have been enough for Boro but Pools winger Kudus Oyenuga powered home another equaliser in the dying second to clinch the draw.

Trevor Carson, the former Sunderland academy goalkeeper, made his first appearance for Pools in goal since arriving in the summer after his recovery from a broken toe.

Pools: Carson, Nearney, Jones, Green, Howes, Walker, Oyenuga, Hawkins, Elliott (Nelson-Addy 75), De Wit, Fenwick. Subs (not used): Denton, Wood, Turnbull, Jewson.

Boro: Coddington, Johnson, Elsdon, McGinley, Kitching, Tinkler, Wheatley, Chapman, Cooke (Jones 58), McAloon (Mondal 29), Morelli (Fewster 58). Subs (not used): Dawson, Jowers, Maloney.