Stewart Downing: Middlesbrough must go on another winning run

Boro saw their lead at the top of the Sky Bet Championship cut to three points after they lost 1-0 at Bristol City and Hull thumped Charlton 6-0.

The last-gasp defeat at Ashton Gate wrecked a run of nine games without defeat with clean sheets in every one.

Downing had expected to win at the managerless club but now says Boro must start again against Nottingham Forest at the Riverside this Saturday.

“I’m disappointed,” said the former England winger. “I expected us to win and bounce back from the Brentford match.

“I know we won down there last week but we didn’t play well.

“Our record has gone but we must go again and look to win another nine games.”

Downing refuted suggestions Boro came a cropper against the Robins because they were complacent.

“I don’t think the lads have thought it was going to be easy,” said the 31-year-old.

“We knew it would be difficult – they beat us earlier in the season. These games are probably as hard as playing a Derby.”