KARANKA’S TROOPS ARE ON TRACK

IF Middlesbrough are to go up this is exactly the type of result and performance that will send them to the top flight.

Any apprehension that comes with a tricky lunchtime trip to the City Ground was quickly dis- pelled when David Nugent scored on three minutes.

And though Forest quickly hit back, man of the moment Daniel Ayala restored their advantage with what proved to be the winner before halftime.

This victory for Boro was their fourth in a row, it leaves them on Brighton’s coat-tails and will merely fuel the flames of optimism at the Riverside Stadium.

The jury is still out on Forest this term, but they will take heart from the fact they will probably play far worse this season and win.