MIDDLESBROUGH passed a test of character, believes George Friend, after taking a point out of Saturday’s game with Derby County.

It was one point more than looked likely for most of the first half at the Riverside, where Frank Lampard’s side bossed the opening stages and arguably deserved a bigger lead than the one-goal margin they held at the break.

Friend’s first half own goal had put Derby in the driving seat, but Boro fought back against the promotion rivals.

Manager Tony Pulis changed formation from three to four at the back, made three substitutions and eventually scored an equaliser, this time Derby’s Jayden Bogle scoring an own goal to ensure Middlesbrough avoided defeat.

“You can’t play in this league without character and mental strength,” said Friend.

“The games come thick and fast and you play all sorts of different teams.

“Frank has got Derby passing nicely and if you’re not ready for that they will open you up like they did at the start.

“But we showed that strength of character, a strong mindset, and I’m really pleased for the team to have done that.

“It was important not to concede another before half-time, because if it had been 2-0 everyone on the pitch would’ve felt even lower.

“Derby probably tired in the second half, understandably because they played a day later than us in midweek.

“They were outstanding in midweek against West Brom and gave it their all, we took advantage of that a bit and created more and more chances.

“The manager changed us to a back four and from then on they were limited to fewer chances apart from on the break a few times when we were taking the game to them.

“In the second half our character was fantastic. We got the goal and it doesn’t matter how they come when you’re chasing the game. There were other chances for us too.”

Friend had inadvertently put the ball into Boro’s net from close range under pressure from Martyn Waghorn, while late in the match Bogle managed to volley into goal from around ten yards.

Boro’s left-back added: “I’ve scored an own goal today so I can’t point the finger and I would never wish it on any player.

“But we’ll take anything, and we could’ve gone on and nicked another goal.

“Overall we’re pleased because that could be an important point.”