Middlesbrough remain in the play-offs despite their latest defeat to Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Riverside.
The Teessiders are still sixth in the table but there are now just a couple of points separating Derby County, who are a single place higher, and Preston North End down in tenth.
Tony Pulis’ side paid for conceding twice before the break against title-favourites Wolves, who though survived having a couple of players sent-off as Patrick Bamford’s stoppage-time reply arrived too late.
However, Pulis reckoned his side to be unfortunate to find themselves comfortably in arrears at the interval: “I thought that we didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down,” he told BBC Tees. “I thought the two goals in such a short time didn’t reflect really the first half.”
Meanwhile, there was to be no courtesy handshake offered by Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo at the final whistle as he instead celebrated the victory.
“If he wants to do that, that’s fine, it’s not a problem with me,” reacted Pulis. “He’s not my mate, so it’s not as though I’ve lost a friend.”
Boro are straight back in action on Easter Monday as they visit bottom club Burton Albion, who were defeated 3-1 at second-placed Cardiff City on Good Friday, and are currently six points from immediate safety with seven games remaining.