MIDDLESBROUGH manager Tony Pulis was satisfied with Middlesbrough’s performance and the outcome at the Riverside Stadium, despite watching Leeds United level in the 11th minute of stoppage-time.

Pulis was pleased to see his side recover from the midweek disappointment of losing at Newport in the FA Cup by pushing Championship leaders Leeds all the way – and go within a whisker of beating them.

Had Middlesbrough held on then they would have climbed to within four points of the top two and beaten both Leeds and West Brom in the space of seven days. They at least head to Sheffield United on Wednesday with four points from those two matches.

Kalvin Phillips struck the 101st minute equaliser for Leeds, cancelling out Lewis Wing’s opener just after the break, arrived in an extended period of stoppage-time.

Leeds’ teenage winger Jack Clarke, who had been withdrawn at half-time, had to be taken to hospital after collapsing in the dug-out as he watched the second half. The game was stopped for seven minutes and led to referee Darren England asking for the 12 extra minutes.

Pulis said: “It was disappointing because it is late, and when it comes late in the game it is always hard to take. I wish my players had seen it coming.

“I thought the players were fantastic first half. Our midfield players were top drawer - Mikel was the best player on the pitch by a mile for me. Saville, Wing and Howson really, really got round Jordan Hugill and caused them all sorts of problems.

“Coming in at 0-0 at half-time I was disappointed because I thought we should have been in front. Second half I thought Leeds were the better team, I thought at times they really pressed us and the lads dug in having got the goal.

“I am more concerned about Jack Clarke and I hope he is OK. The time that was added on, was the time that the referee decided and it is the same for both teams. It is set for Leeds as much as it is set for us.

“The more important thing is making sure the boy, fingers crossed, is OK and recovers because he is a very, very talented young player. All of our thoughts for Middlesbrough Football Club go to the lad Clarke.

“I was told straight away that someone... and I got the fourth official to speak to the referee. I thought it was important that the ref knew was going on. Fingers crossed everything will be OK with Jack.”

The Northern Echo:

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa felt his side created enough chances to win. Phillips was on hand in the six-yard box to head over the.

“What we know is that he didn’t feel well,” Bielsa said. “We don’t really know the reasons yet.

“After feeling bad he recovered and when he was taken to the dressing room he was better, as if he had overcome the problem. He was taken to the hospital to see if everything was alright.”

Bielsa added: "The opponent was dangerous in the first half but at the end of the first half and the second half was good. We could have won the game.

“If we take into account the 15 minutes in the first half when we were not at ease, apart from this we dominated the game. We deserved to score that goal and we probably deserved to score more goals."