Dougie Freedman frustrated with narrow defeat against Middlesbrough at Macron Stadium
Dougie Freedman believes on another night Wanderers could have clinched all three points against Middlesbrough.
Wanderers took the lead through Craig Davies’ 27th minute penalty after the forward was upended in the box when clean through on goal.
However, Middlesbrough equalised with a penalty of their own on the stroke of half-time through Grant Leadbitter, before Kike scored the winner for the Teesiders late on.
“We’re disappointed with the manner of the goals we conceded,” Freedman said. “We gave them a present for the first goal and their second was a loss of concentration on our part.
“I don’t like to talk about referees, but we do feel Craig Davies was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity when through on goal in the first half. Their man didn’t get sent off, so we have to forget that and get on with the game.
“We can’t afford to give away goals right now and when a referee’s decision goes against you it’s difficult.”
Freedman continued: “All in all it was a very close game and I felt we showed good discipline. We made sure that we created a few opportunities and the truth is that if we had taken them then we would have won the game.
“I felt we matched Middlesbrough. They are a good side and there wasn’t a lot in the game, except for them taking the opportunity in front of goal when it came their way in the second half. They took it and that was the difference.
“We’ve got a good group of honest players. We’ve seen tonight that they’ve given their all and I was happy with the response from the lads in the second half. They gave it a right good go.
“We now look forward to the game at Brighton. A very dogged display is once again needed in making sure we concentrate for the full 95 minutes."