JONATHAN WOODGATE has pledged to do everything he can to make sure Middlesbrough’s improved display against Preston North End is the start of a turnaround in fortunes after a difficult few weeks.

Boro remain closer to the relegation zone than the top six after a hard-earned 1-1 draw with a Preston North End team that could have climbed into the automatic promotion spots had they struck a winner.

But Middlesbrough could easily have won with the few clear-cut chances they created, although Woodgate was just pleased he had witnessed a better display than Saturday’s 4-1 horror show against Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside.

Preston actually took the lead last night when Josh Harrop turned in the loose ball after Alan Browne’s deflected shot had come back off the woodwork with five minutes remaining of the first half.

Less than two minutes later Middlesbrough had levelled when Paddy McNair’s cross appeared to be turned over the line by Darnell Fisher. Boro have since checked replays and will be looking to get that credited to Britt Assombalonga, who they say got a touch too.

Either way, Woodgate was happier to see Middlesbrough be more resilient having made four changes to the team that lost to the Owls at the weekend.

“We have to be solid at the minute. I'm not stupid, I know how football goes. I want to play in a certain way but sometimes you have to play a certain way and tweak things to get results when you need results,” said Woodgate.

“That’s what management is all about. You can't always play the perfect game. You need to adjust and if things aren't going too well you need to stop the rot.

“I was happy with the 4-3-3 set-up. I thought it was good and we played really well. We didn't win but it was a step in the right direction.”

Marcus Tavernier went close in the second half to hitting a winner when goalkeeper Declan Rudd tipped over a first time effort from him. A failure to find a second means Middlesbrough head to Birmingham on Friday looking for only their third win in ten league games this season.

“It’s not ideal but that's the situation we're in,” said Woodgate, whose side had lost their previous two. “We haven't started great this season, I'm the first to admit that, but we're working hard to try and improve it.

“I was pleased with that display. To be honest I thought we deserved the win, we had a lot of the chances. I can't remember a save Darren Randolph had to make, their keeper made a number of saves.

“I’m gutted to not get the three points but it’s a step in the right direction. I'm pleased with the performance and the reaction of the players to Saturday.

“I thought there were a lot of good performances, Jonny Howson coming back from surgery; Marcus Tavernier and Marcus Browne were really good, Paddy McNair was outstanding, we need to build on that on Friday against Birmingham.”

Preston boss manager Alex Neil felt his team should be pleased with the point, given how often they have had to leave Teesside without as much as a point in the past.

The result prevented North End from climbing into the Championship’s top two and stopped them from winning back to back league games against Middlesbrough for the first time since 1972.

He said: “It is a fair result over the piece. First half we controlled the ball better without being threatening. They retained the ball better than us at the top end of the pitch and they created more chances than us.

“Middlesbrough have good players. They have been a team challenging to get out of this league in recent seasons. It was a hard-fought game. We can play better. I thought it was a fair result.

“We didn’t hold on to the lead until half-time which was disappointing. When you score with five minutes to go you know you have to see that phase out. That is the bits that cost us the match.

“You look at Middlesbrough, they will be gutted to get a point. Our last win here was the first time in 40 years, there is a lid on it, it’s seven unbeaten for us, but I think coming here is not a bad point for us at all.”