'We have to score goals to win' - Hellberg

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg knows that his team will not gain automatic promotion unless they sharpen up their act in front of goal. It is now one goal in three games after they were held to a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers. While it was a third blank in a run of eight matches in which Boro have taken only 10 points as their promotion push stutters.

The Teessiders had over 70% of possession and missed some good chances in the first half but they lost momentum after the break. It was a familiar story for Hellberg, who was pleased with much of his side's work at Ewood Park, even if the most important thing was lacking. "It was a very, very good first half," said the Swede.

"The first 15, 20 minutes of the second half felt very good but then it became open from us trying to chase the game. "We wanted it so much that we lost a bit of control and quality in terms of how we played, but it was a good performance in many ways. "We're doing our best, we kept a clean sheet away from home, we're trying to score, we created a lot of opportunities, but it didn't fall for us.

"Of course we need to score goals. If we don't, we won't win games. "