Frustrated Middlesbrough Head Coach Aitor Karanka has questioned the officiating for his side's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City on Friday night, reports the Northern Echo.

In a thrilling encounter, Boro thought they had taken the lead through Daniel Ayala shortly after Birmingham found an equaliser in the 68th minute, only for it to be incorrectly disallowed for offside.

A win would have seen the Teessiders go three points clear at the summit with rivals Burnley and Brighton not playing until Monday, but instead they had to settle for a draw.

Following the game, the Spaniard was frustrated not to be leaving Birmingham with all three points.

“I have to be pleased with the performance because once again the team showed they are mature, they are a really good team,” the Boro told reporters after the game.

“But normally in football when you score one more goal than the opponent you win the games.

“But today that didn’t happen. It didn’t happen because Dani’s goal was disallowed and I can’t understand why.

“I prefer to think that it was a mistake, but the thing that makes me a little bit concerned is that there have been a few mistakes against us at the end of the season and I feel we are not playing under the same conditions as the other teams.

“So we have to keep going. I don’t want to say anything else because I do not like excuses, especially when we have the team we have.”

In a rather Mourinho-esque interview in which he claimed Boro were being treated differently by officials, Karanka was clearly disappointed as his side failed to win a crucial game.

The Spaniard cited Cristhian Stuani's recent suspension for violent conduct as another example of his side being treated differently by officials as well as the offside ruling against Ayala.

The result means that unless Brighton fail to beat Derby County on Monday, Boro must beat the Seagulls if they are to achieve promotion the Premier League.

Middlesbrough fans...What do you make of the news? Does Karanka have a point about being treated differently to others? Do you think they will beat Brighton next weekend? Let us know what you think in the comments below!