RHYS WILLIAMS led the tributes from the Riverside Stadium after the son of former Middlesbrough team-mate Brad Jones lost his battle with leukaemia.

It was Williams' idea for the Boro squad to wear black armbands in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Blackpool as a mark of respect to six-year-old Luca, who died on Friday.

Jones still has many friends at the Riverside and Williams, a fellow Australian and one of his closest pals, has revealed the effects Luca's passing has had on the rest of the squad he once formed part of.

"Brad text me on Friday night, it was horrible news and we all feel for him," said Williams. "Rhys is such a good friend, so I asked the gaffer 'can we wear black armbands?' All the players showed their love for Brad and his kid and we all feel for him."

Since leaving Middlesbrough in the summer of last year Jones and his partner, Dani Lawrence, have been raising awareness of the Anthony Nolan charity which helps families to find bone marrow donors.

Luca's battle saddened everyone at Middlesbrough and beyond from the moment Jones learned of the news just days before the World Cup in South Africa last year.

Williams tried to help him through such times prior to his switch to Anfield, having built up a strong relationship from their time together coming through the ranks at Rockliffe Park.

"Brad showed me the ropes around here," said Williams. "He could be the only reason why I am still here because back then I was homesick from being in the youth team and not having many friends, Brad was always there for me.

"I am obviously feeling for him in these dark days, so the black armbands were for him and his son. It puts football in to perspective, it is hard for Brad right now and he knows we are all there for him."

Given the emotions Jones and his family will be going through, Williams was quick to reflect that there are a lot worse things to be worrying about than failing to preserve a lead against Blackpool.

Middlesbrough maintained their 17-match unbeaten home record with another point, their seventh draw of the season in the Championship, to stay third.

Williams knows, though, that taking the lead in each half through Scott McDonald's goals should have led to all three points, particularly given the number of chances they wasted, to keep the pressure on second placed West Ham.

"We learn from our mistakes and we start to think about next Saturday," said Williams. "We have to put this one behind us. This is two points lost but we are still unbeaten at home. That's a good record to have.

"We were unlucky. We have been doing a lot of finishing this week as well, it's just one of those things. We played well, we kept the ball well and we broke well, attacked well, it just wasn't meant to be.

"If you look at the result it looks an even game. It was nice to play well but we need to win games if we want to get where we want to be, which is the Premier League."

Blackpool's second equaliser, courtesy of Jonjo Shelvey's toe poke, arrived seconds after Williams' withdrawal, with Middlesbrough failing to reshuffle their pack efficiently, which allowed the visitors to capitalise.

Supporters questioned the merits of the substitution at that time, but Williams revealed afterwards he had to come off after a week of travelling the world with Australia.

"I came off with a bit of cramp," he said. "Maybe the flights are getting to me, I don't know. I didn't want to come off but if you are struggling then you have to come off for the team.

"I have only missed one game through injury. I feel fine. I could do with a break soon but I love playing football. Long may it continue."