ROY Keane praised his team’s spirit, in the face of adversity, following this afternoon’s heart-warming 3-1 win at pre-season title favourites Middlesbrough.

ROY Keane praised his team’s spirit, in the face of adversity, following this afternoon’s heart-warming 3-1 win at pre-season title favourites Middlesbrough.

Goals from Tommy Smith, Tamas Priskin and Jon Stead sealed a fine second-half comeback from Town, after Scott McDonald had headed Boro into a first-half lead.

The win was achieved against the odds, considering all the summer departures and the injuries to the likes of Connor Wickham, Damien Delaney and Alan Quinn.

“I had a good feeling before the match. The spirit was great, and I always felt relaxed, even at half-time when we were losing,” insisted Keane.

“I thought we deserved to win the game. We always looked a threat, and the young lads who came in did well.

“If we play like that every week, we won’t lose many matches in the Championship.

“It’s a better start than last season, though that wouldn’t be too difficult!” joked Keane. Town failed to win any of their first 14 league matches last term.

On the negative side, winger Carlos Edwards hobbled off with a groin injury and is expected to be out for a while. Left-back Mark Kennedy is also nursing a sore hamstring and both Grant Leadbitter and Gareth McAuley have sore backs.