DELIGHTED Michael Carrick described the manner of Middlesbrough's victory at Bolton as the "perfect feeling" and said he took great heart from his side's come from behind success to book their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The head coach also hailed the "incredible" Boro supporters for their role in the dramatic late win.

Boro trailed to League One Bolton after Dion Charles' first half opener before Matt Crooks levelled just after the half hour mark. Boro then dominated after the break but were made to wait, with substitutes Riley McGree and Morgan Rogers both striking in stoppage time to ensure Carrick's side didn't have to face a penalty shoot-out.

“I’m really pleased for many different reasons," he said.

"That was a really good team we played against who are very well-coached. They’re dangerous and tough to play against. The boys found a way and improved in the second half. It was very much like the start of our season in many ways as things didn’t quite drop for us. But the boys stuck at it and found a way and kept going, stayed positive and you could sense the energy that they believed in what they were doing.

"You could really sense that between the players and the supporters at that end in the second half. It felt like only a matter of time, and in the end, it proved to be, so I’m happy.

"Everyone played their part as well. The boys that started gave everything, some really good performances, and then the boys that came on to finish it did exactly that. It shows the spirit in the group and the togetherness, which considering the start, doesn’t always prove to be the case. I wasn’t surprised by it, but I was delighted with it."

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Boro made six changes for the game and Bolton seven. Carrick was impressed by the third tier hosts and pleased with Boro's patience and persistence in wearing Wanderers down.

He said: “Honestly, I think they are a very good team. They put a lot of players across our backline - six players in total. They have good movement at the top of the pitch and are then man to man off the ball. Playing against that you’ve got to be really clever in using space and attacking the last line.

"Crooksy does that perfectly with the run for the first goal. I knew they way they played it would be a tough night. But I thought we wore them down and showed real quality second half and the boys had that confidence coming back.

"We scored two really good late goals as the lads came off the bench and put the icing on what we’d worked on throughout the game. They made that difference and it was a good way to finish. The boys needed that and deserved that. That feeling when you win it late is the perfect feeling really isn’t it?"

Boro were backed by a sell-out following, and Carrick said: "The support helped that, a sell-out allocation on a night like this is incredible. There's no doubt that helped the boys, especially at that end when we're creating chances."

One concerning aspect of the night for Carrick was the sight of Matt Crooks hobbling off injured in the second half.

The head coach said: "He tweaked his knee. He got up initially but then felt it again a moment later so we brought him off. I’m hopeful it’s not too bad but at the minute he’s getting treatment and has an ice pack on, so we’ll have to see."