ONeil defends Boro performance

Last updated : 05 October 2010 By BBC Sport

Middlesbrough captain Gary O'Neil has defended his side's performance after letting slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Portsmouth on Saturday.Goals from Matthew Bates and Barry Robson put Boro in control but second-half strikes from David Nugent and Liam Lawrence earned Pompey a point.

"We just need to find that formula where we win when we play like that," O'Neil told BBC Tees.

"The way we played is good enough to win games in this division."

O'Neil added: "We've got a great set of lads, everyone's desperate to succeed. We're gutted, we've had a tough week."

The former England under-21 midfielder, who was playing his second game in four days on his comeback from a knee injury, managed 77 minutes before he was withdrawn for striker Leroy Lita.

"My knee was fine, but lack of games and match practice meant I got a bit of cramp in both hamstrings and I didn't want to risk tearing anything," O'Neil added.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport