Middlesbro...

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray is remaining upbeat, despite the 1-0 defeat at Championship promotion rivals Cardiff City at the weekend.

The loss ended the Teeside club's run of nine games undefeated and saw the Bluebirds leapfrog the Mowbray's men into second place, behind Ian Holloway's Crystal Palace.

Boro had five shots on target to the Bluebirds' one and could find no way past goalkeeper David Marshall. But the men from the Riverside are still sitting pretty tucked in behind the top two and they remain one of the hot favourites for promotion to the top flight.

"We can take confidence from the way we performed against a team that have beaten everyone at home this year," Mowbray told BBC Tees.

"I'm sure the people of Cardiff will know they've played a decent side. With 29 games still to go, I don't think we'll be far away.

"I feel for the players a bit because we put a fabulous effort in today and really got a grip of the game. We looked a good side at times but we didn't get a reward."

Elsewhere on Teeside, Boro striker Curtis Main has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2015, with an option for a further year after that.

The 20-year-old started his career at North East rivals Darlington before making his move to the Riverside in June 2011.

Main has been restricted to just two appearances this term after damaging his knee ligaments in training and he is expected to be out until Christmas.

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But he's clearly well thought of at Boro and under Mowbray - a manager not afraid to give promising youngsters a chance - he will look to thrive in 2013.
"I'm grateful the manager has shown faith in me," he told the club website. "I can't wait to restart full training and get playing again.