AITOR KARANKA was keen to accentuate the positives despite his Middlesbrough side failing to reclaim top spot in the Championship.

Middlesbrough are now level on points with both Burnley and Brighton after a goalless draw with Ipswich Town, and with just two games remaining, the race to win promotion to the Premier League remains too close to call.

Boro travel to Birmingham City on Friday night, before hosting third-placed Brighton on the final day of the season, and Karanka insists they remain extremely well placed despite having started this weekend’s round of fixtures in pole position.

If Boro win their final two matches they will be promoted to the top-flight, and one victory might still be enough depending on how other results go.

Karanka said: “We have to be positive. I said a month ago that we were in a good position, and I would say that we are in an amazing position now.

“We have two games to go, one at home, and we are more mature now and have a better squad (than last season). We are going to be more rested than we were today. For that reason, I have to be positive and transmit a positive message.”

Karanka watched his players dominate for long periods against an Ipswich side who only recorded one shot on target all game, but despite creating a number of chances, Boro were unable to make a breakthrough.

Jordan Rhodes shot too close to Bartosz Bialkowski after breaking clear in the first half, and drilled a second-half shot against the post, and substitute David Nugent also went close with a stoppage-time header that was saved.

Karanka said: “I don’t know how many chances we need to score a goal because the score today should have been three or four-nil. We had a lot of clear chances, but we couldn’t score.

“When it is not your day, the ball hits the post and doesn’t go in. But I am really proud of all the players. We have played seven games in 23 days, and in this period, to win five and draw the other two games when everybody is tired is really good.”

Mick McCarthy was proud of his Ipswich players’ efforts, and while he feels the race for automatic promotion is too close to call, he was delighted to have done Brighton boss Chris Hughton a favour by denying Boro all three points.

McCarthy said: “If I've done one person a favour it's Chris Hughton, because he's a mate and he's such a wonderful guy. So Chris, that's a point for you. I hope we've helped him get promoted. 

“I haven't got a clue who is going to go up though. I tipped Derby when they beat us, I tipped Middlesbrough when they beat us at our place, I tipped Burnley at one stage, Hull when they beat us - all of them slapped us. Hull are nowhere near it now, so I ain't got a clue.”