SOUNESS was hugely disappointed with Saturday's result against Middlesbrough, especially considering the manner of Alen Boksic's winner.

"It was a poxy way to lose it but that's football," said Souness.

"Craig Short made the tackle, Boksic knew nothing about it and it just came off him and looped over Brad into the net.

"On another day we would have got something from the game and I think we deserved something from it.

"We took a long time to get going but I thought we were a lot better in the second half.

"We were a lot quicker in getting to the first and second balls and we had a lot more possession but we didn't enjoy any luck in front of goal whereas they did and that was the difference.

"Give them credit. They defended very well and their goalkeeper made the saves when he had to."

One of the few bright spots from Saturday's game was the performance of winger Keith Gillespie.

But, despite his promptings down the right, that failed to produce an equaliser.

"I think we just need that little bit of luck in the box at the moment," said Gillespie.

"If Martin Taylor had scored when his shot hit the post it could have been a different story.

"But it's all ifs and buts at the minute.

"Before the West Ham game we weren't scoring a lot of goals and then went and stuck seven in.

"So, hopefully, that can happen again soon.

"We were always going to lose at home sooner or later -- not a lot of teams go through a whole season and don't get beaten at home.

"So now we've got to pick ourselves up and get ready for the Leeds game."