ADAM Reach insists Middlesbrough fear no-one in the Championship promotion race after Saturday’s win over Derby County.

Aitor Karanka’s men took the outright lead at the top of the table – albeit for a few hours – following their convincing win over the Rams and go into Saturday’s trip to Ipswich Town level with Bournemouth at the summit.

Last weekend’s victory sent a clear message to the clubs with promotion aspirations, but Boro’s credentials will be tested again when they visit Portman Road.

Mick McCarthy’s men sit one point behind the Teessiders in fourth place, but Reach says his side feels confident of beating anyone at the moment.

“It's about the next game,” said Reach, when asked about the busy festive programme.

“We have a couple of tough games coming up but we've just played arguably the toughest game and we won 2-0.

“If you can beat the top of the league I don't think you should fear anyone else but we'll take each game as it comes.

“You've got to say, whether you are at the top of the table or the bottom of the table that is the biggest test because it's the next game and it's the most important game.

“We don't live in the past at this club, in the dressing room we forget about the last result as soon as it's over and look ahead to the next game.”

Both Middlesbrough and Ipswich have been on similar runs with both sides having not been beaten since October 21, and Reach admits Boro will have to be at their best to maintain their unbeaten streak.

He said: “Ipswich are doing well but that result on Saturday will mean nothing if we disappoint ourselves by coming away with no points, hopefully we can bring all three points home in readiness for Forest.

“I’m expecting a really tough game. There’s no easy place to go, especially in the Championship.

“Ipswich are doing well at the minute but so are we, so it’ll be tough but it should be a good game and I think if we prepare as well as we have in previous games we should be ok.

“Mick McCarthy has done a good job. I think everyone’s a bit surprised maybe because they haven’t been up there in previous seasons, but if he’s gathered a good squad and got them working hard together then that’s what can happen.

“I bet the good run is no surprise in their dressing room, but whether they’re on a good run or not it’s still a tough game for us so we’ll prepare as we usually would.”