Top six still a target as Main man wins it

The 19-year-old was the main man in every sense when his 80th minute finish settled a game Mowbray knew Middlesbrough had to win to stay in the race for the top six.

Following defeat to Hull Mowbray had made it clear his side needed a victory to boost their play-off hopes.

“I think the players knew the importance of the game after the frustration of Monday when we got our noses in front and then shot ourselves in the foot in a game that could have been over by half-time,” Mowbray said. “I think the message was almost it’s last chance saloon and the big players needed to step forward and drag the rest along and they did just that.

“But we still have a job to do and we are still two points outside the play-offs.

“We have got two home games coming up and we’ve drawn too many games at home since the new year. We’ve got to sort that out over the next two games if we are going to make the play-offs.”

Main’s superb finish from Barry Robson’s defence-splitting pass has given them hope.

Mowbray added: “I am delighted for him, we needed a bit of quality, a bit of magic and it was a real clinical finish that won the game.

“We see that from him in training, he rarely mis-strikes a ball, he’s like a golfer in that he makes clean contact and it flashed past the keeper before he’s seen it. We hope he’s got a big future in the game.”

Derby boss Nigel Clough admitted his team lack the sort of killer instinct that Main provided to end his team’s play-off ambitions.

“We are disappointed with the build-up to the goal but it was a sublime, brilliant finish,” he said.

Derby: Fielding, Naylor, Buxton, Shackell, Roberts, Green, Hendrick (Carroll 86), Bryson, Ben Davies (Tyson 82), Robinson (Ward 75), Steve Davies. Unused substitutes: Severn, Bailey.

Middlesbrough: Steele, McMahon, Hines, McDonald, Hoyte, Bailey, Emnes (Thomson 83), Haroun, Robson, McManus, Jutkiewicz (Main 78). Unused substitutes: Hammill, Ogbeche, Smallwood.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).

Man of the Match: Curtis Main.