Middlesbrough goalkeeper coach Stephen Pears has urged Ross Turnbull not to be down after his performance in their defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Beaten twice by Jermain Defoe, Turnbull said: "With the first one he's beaten me at my near post but it's a game of inches, it's a bit unlucky.

"I was disappointed to concede at my near post but Stephen Pears said to me in the dressing room that it's not always criminal to be beaten at your near post. He struck the ball well and it's hit the post. It could have easily hit the post and come out but it wasn't to be.

"The second goal was just lucky from their point of view and unlucky for us."