Middlesbrough 0, Leeds United 1

NEIL Redfearn called on Leeds to keep their feet on the ground after they shocked leaders Middlesbrough to bag their third successive win.

United have now lost just one of their last eight fixtures to give themselves an outside chance of securing a play-off place.

"It's very satisfying," said Redfearn. "But we have got to make sure we don't get carried away with ourselves.

"We are a young side and we have been through a lot of adversity. We are going to get better and better.

"We are enjoying what we're doing at the moment but we know you cannot take anything for granted in this division.

"It's a tough division to get out of. I think Middlesbrough are the favourites; they are a complete side.

"(Reaching the play-offs) is a tall ask but while there are points to play for there is no reason not to aim as high as you can."

Alex Mowatt's third-minute goal meant Boro, who surrended top spot to Derby, slumped to a first home defeat since August.

Tomas Mejias saw a poor throw-out intercepted by Lewis Cook and the midfielder took full advantage, pulling back for Mowatt to fire into the bottom corner via a deflection.

Middlesbrough responded well but, despite creating a glut of chances in the opening period, they could not find a way past the dogged rearguard led by Leeds skipper Sol Bamba.

Only last-ditch defending, and excellent saves from Marco Silvestri to deny Kike and Adam Clayton, kept Leeds ahead at half-time.

Picking up where they left off, Middlesbrough applied further pressure following the interval, Kike seeing an effort turned around the post by Silvestri.

But Leeds issued a warning shot of their own moments later when Scott Wootton nodded James Murphy's free-kick against the crossbar.

Boro boss Aitor Karanka introduced top-scorer Patrick Bamford midway through the second period but his side could not find the elusive equaliser.

Karanka urged his side to immediately bounce back when Bolton visit the Riverside on Tuesday night.

He said: "Today is the kind of day you cannot explain. We are frustrated because we have done everything to win this game and we haven't won it.

"I can't say anything bad about my players because they have done their best. We now have to think about Tuesday against Bolton.

"I thought the performance was very good. I don't know how many chances we had. However, we have an important game on Tuesday.

"The best thing is to play again on Tuesday, especially at home. This team always reacts very well after a defeat."