We deserved our victory - Mowbray

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray said his side fully deserved their victory after handing a first league defeat of the season to Championship leaders Blackburn Rovers.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz marked his return to the starting line-up with a brace before Grant Hanley headed a consolation just before the end.

Boro also survived late calls for a penalty following Justin Hoyte's challenge on Rovers' record signing Jordan Rhodes.

But the visitors were certainly deserving of their success after showing enough character to respond to their disappointing midweek defeat at another of the high-flyers, Blackpool.

"We deserved to win. Not many people could say we didn't," Mowbray told BBC Sport. "We were disappointed to come in at half-time only 1-0 up. And in the end, we showed the qualities we needed to see it out.

"Sometimes Lukas gives us the platform to play off the front," he added. "You saw that tonight in the performances of Marvin Emnes, Mustapha Carayol and Josh McEachran."

Their victory hoisted Boro back up to sixth in the table and just a couple of points behind their latest opponents.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.