DOWNING’S EARLY BIRD DEAL SWEET FOR BORO

STEWART DOWNING scored only his second goal of the season and his first at The Riverside as Boro clung on to the final play-off spot. And the former England man (left) believes his goal and Daniel Ayala’s opener gave the team valuable breathing space with crunch games against Bristol City and Sheffield United coming up.

“It’s a big result, it was a must-win,” he said. “We started well by getting the early goals, which is important in these games with the way they’re set up to play. And once we got the goals to go in front we weren’t in a lot of danger.”

Former Boro forward Lee Tomlin was frustrated with Forest’s failure to defend a corner and then a long throw-in – despite being warned what to expect by boss Aitor Karanka. “We had been working all week on it and have been told a few days before the game what they are about, and it’s just more frustrating because that is what we get beat by,” he said.

“To come back and play is special for me but I’m obviously not happy with the result.”