Strachan 'embarrassed' as Middlesbrough promotion hopes end

Goals from Simon Cox and former Hearts striker Roman Bednar earned promoted Albion a ninth successive home win.

Strachan said: "I have been in management for 13 years and that is one of the performances that you are actually embarrassed with. As a manager you hopefully don't get them too many times – that is about the fourth or fifth one.

"We are embarrassed by our performance, I mean we as a group, not just the players but we as a group are embarrassed by that."

When Strachan was appointed last October, Middlesbrough were fourth in the table, but the former Celtic boss added: "We were fourth but we were two points away from 10th so it is not as clear-cut as it looks. I am not making any excuses. We have just not been good enough."

Elsewhere, Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam helped keep Blackpool's play-off dream alive by scoring a penalty in the crucial 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.

PAUL Lambert guided Norwich City back into the Championship yesterday when his team won 1-0 at Charlton Athletic to seal promotion from League One. Defender Michael Nelson headed home the winner from Simon Lappin's inch-perfect corner.

Relegation-threatened Gillingham dented Leeds United's promotion push with a 3-2 win.

Nelson scored the winner at the same ground where the Canaries were relegated last year when he headed in Simon Lappin's inch-perfect corner, while goalkeeper Fraser Forster made several fine saves to deny Nicky Forster and Deon Burton.

Relegation-threatened Gillingham put a dent in Leeds' promotion push with a thrilling 3-2 win at the Priestfield Stadium.

Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam helped keep Blackpool's Coca-Cola Championship play-off dream alive by scoring a penalty in the crucial 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.

Paul Lambert seals promotion to Championship for Norwich City

PAUL Lambert guided Norwich City back into the Championship yesterday when his charges won 1-0 at Charlton. Defender Michael Nelson headed home the winner.

Celtic friendly in doubt

CELTIC have admitted their midweek friendly against AZ Alkmaar could be in doubt because of the volcanic ash cloud that has disrupted air travel throughout Europe, writes Andrew Smith.

"We will have to wait an see," a club spokesperson said. "Their flight is as much a doubt as anyone else's."

The Dutch side were due to play at Celtic Park on Wednesday week in a fixture arranged to give Celtic season book holders an extra match.

Zanetti hails Inter triumph

CAPTAIN Javier Zanetti recognised the importance of Internazionale's 2-0 victory over ten-man Juventus which saw them return to the top of Serie A until tonight at least.

Juve were left with an uphill struggle after 37 minutes when Mohamed Sissoko was sent off for two bookings but they managed to keep the defending champions at bay until a moment of magic from Maicon in the 75th minute.

Samuel Eto'o sealed the win in stoppage time to take Inter back above Roma ahead of the Rome derby against Lazio tonight.

Schalke up title challenge

SCHALKE strengthened their Bundesliga title challenge thanks to a 3-1 home win over Borussia Mnchengladbach. Ivan Rakitic put the Royal Blues ahead in the eighth minute, but a mistake by Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer allowed Raul Bobadilla to equalise less than ten minutes later. Jefferson Farfan ensured the home side went in at the break ahead before a penalty early in the second half scored by Rakitic sealed all three points for Schalke.

Keith through to cup semis

KEITH claimed a semi-final place in the Fosters Highland League Cup with a 2-0 win over Nairn County. Jamie Lennox hit the opener after 43 minutes of a tense and highly-competitive first half. Cammy Keith popped up with his 24th goal of the season to seal passage for the Maroons.

It proved a dismal day for administration-hit Clach in the other quarter-final at Rothes. The hosts did all the damage in the second half after an opener on the hour from Ian Macrae. Stuart Fettes hit the killer second nine minutes from time and Kris Duncan made sure late on.

In the league, Buckie Thistle's quest for a first Highland championship title in 52 years suffered a slight set-back. Hosts Fraserburgh were in fighting form after two recent defeats and a red card for Buckie's Kevin Small early on clearly hampered the league leaders. But the Jags held on for a 0-0 draw which may prove crucial come next month.

Deveronvale's challenge for the league crown fizzled out after a shock 2-1 defeat at Turriff. But the biggest surprise of the day came at Huntly where fast-improving Fort William meted out a 3-1 beating for the hosts.