Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill felt Luke Varney's injury-time equaliser at the Riverside Stadium was fully deserved in the 2-2 draw. The Teessiders created a string of chances and could have killed the game off long before Varney's late leveller, but Cotterill rejected suggestions his side had got off the hook.
"From about 80 minutes onwards we got into the ascendancy, built up a head of steam and got the equaliser we deserved.
"I think a few people would have had Middlesbrough down for a home win, because they finished the season like a train, so we're very pleased with the result. There are plenty of plusses."
The match was played with torrential downpours soaking the playing surface.
"It was an awful day," Cotterill added. "We were so wet at half-time that all the coaches had to change their kit.
"There was a corner of the pitch where it was so wet the players had to literally flick it up and volley it, but despite the rain there was some good football played, although (Boro manager) Tony Mowbray will probably be disappointed with the defending for our two goals, as I was for theirs."
