NEIL WARNOCK

admitted that a lack of a cutting edge is blunting Middlesbrough’s play-off push.

Lee Gregory marked his first Pride Park appearance following his loan move by heading the opener and he set-up Colin Kazim-Richards for a spectacular second.

Neeskens Kebano gave Middlesbrough hope, but Derby stood firm in the second period.

Warnock said: ‘It’s disappointing result-wise but, once again, I didn’t think we were a threat. Since I’ve been here, well in fact for the past few years, there’s not been enough threat up front – things aren’t dropping for us.’