Manager Gordon Strachan admits his Middlesbrough side have plenty to work on after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest at the Riverside Stadium.

Boro took an early lead through Leroy Lita's fifth-minute strike, but failed to press home their advantage as the game wore on.

And after seeing Forest grab a deserved second-half equaliser through substitute Rob Earnshaw's free-kick, Strachan had few complaints with the final result.

"I'm happy with the way we started the game and the first 30 to 35 minutes, but not happy with the rest of the game," said the Scot.

"The two games we played before this (defeats to Plymouth and Crystal Palace) I felt we could have won, but the most likely team to win this game was Nottingham Forest.

"I thought the back four and (goalkeeper) Brad (Jones) played well but the most important thing in football is to score goals and I don't think we were much of a threat to be honest.

"Our retention of the ball was poor and when we got it back we rushed things, so you struggle from there."

The result leaves Strachan still searching for his first win since replacing Gareth Southgate at the helm.

And when asked if he felt the side had made progress since his arrival, he frankly admitted: "It doesn't look like it, no. Not at all. It's not been a great three weeks for the players, for me or for the fans.

"My concern just now is making us into a better team.

"We have to try and find a formula or a formation that gives us more of a goal threat.

"At the moment I can't put my finger on it and it's something you have to get.

"Every job is a big challenge. I didn't think it was going to be easy, that's for sure. I'm not a silly man.

"We're judged as players and managers when we walk out of the door. But people can be unhappy just now, I understand that."

Forest boss Billy Davies had mixed emotions after seeing his side recover from a dismal first-half showing.

Davies revealed he had read the riot act to his players at the interval, but gave them credit for the way they responded to maintain their unbeaten away record.

"I think the first half was as poor as we've been this season," he said. "We looked complacent and I just felt we didn't play with any pace.

"We were their best player at times because we kept giving them the ball too easily and that's why I was so angry.

"But after one or two choice words at half-time we came out and showed what we are all about.

"I'm pleased because of the reaction. I'm very proud of the run that we're on and the away record that we carry.

"We've got a lot to learn and you saw that in the opening 45 minutes. But they're a great bunch and I thought in the second half we really showed our potential."