Gordon Strachan admits it will take hard work to find a promotion formula after Boro lost 1-0 at home to struggling Plymouth in his debut appearance in the Riverside dugout.

The Scot took charge for the first time in a frustrating game in which Boro spurned a string of chances - and even missed a penalty - leaving Plymouth to claim all three points with a second-half bolt from the blue courtesy of Jamie Mackie.

"It was frustrating," admitted Strachan. "It always is when you lose. But it was nice to be back. I enjoyed it, not the game but the experience.

"It will take hard work for us to find a winning formula.

"In terms of creating chances and getting the crosses in we don't have a problem but that formula in terms of scoring goals is just not there. Maybe a bit of that is in the head."

Boro slipped to a fourth defeat and fourth blank in five home games, and Strachan admitted: "I wish there were some words to say to put that right but there aren't.

"You can only do it by hard work in training and hard work on the pitch.

"We need to finish the chances but then we all know what's wrong. You don't need to be a UEFA-qualified pro to see that. We'll put it right."

Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock praised his own side's workrate in a tough game in which they spent most of the time on the defensive.

"I am delighted with the win and delighted with the workrate," he said. "We had some nervous moments - the penalty was one and (Kari) Arnason cleared one off the line - but you are not going to come to Middlesbrough and not get that.

"But we didn't just sit back. We had our chances too and their keeper had to make a few good saves too.

"We worked hard at the back and in midfield to keep a quality side at bay and we scored a great goal.

"Jamie Mackie caused mayhem for them. Their centre-backs won't have a harder afternoon all year. It was a good goal, a good touch to take him through and a good finish."

The goal came on 64 minutes when Mackie out-paced David Wheater to reach a quick knock on by Alan Gow, nudged past the Boro defender then slotted coolly under advancing keeper Brad Jones.

Boro had dominated for long spells and had some good chances to have the game wrapped up long before that.

Emnes' shot was brilliantly blocked on the line as last man Arnason came sliding in, and Wheater's deflected effort was clawed off the line by keeper Romain Larrieu.

And after the goal Boro had a golden chance to level from the spot after Sean St Ledger was blocked by Arnason, but Johnson slammed his spot-kick against the outside of the the post.