Aitor Karanka: 'We were lucky today, we weren't at our best but it's a very important three points'

Aitor Karanka insists winning promotion is more important than lifting the FA Cup.

Boro's victory at promotion-chasing Brentford leaves the club just one point behind leaders Bournemouth.

The win comes a week after Karanka's team pulled off a huge FA Cup upset by beating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

The reward for that win was another extraordinarily tough away game at Arsenal, but the Boro is taking each game as it comes.

“I am only thinking about Charlton next Saturday,” answered Karanka when asked whether it was possible to win promotion and the FA Cup in the same season, before adding: “I only dream at night.”

The Spaniard was also asked if escaping the Championship was more important that winning the FA Cup and he answered: “Of course.”

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka

Beating Brentford, this season's surprise package in the Championship, didn't come easy.

Boro were second best for the first 43 minutes of an exciting encounter at Griffin Park.

The hosts missed several good chances as they pushed the visitors back into their own half.

Then, just a couple of minutes before the half-time whistle, Patrick Bamford was tripped inside the penalty area and Grant Leadbitter converted the resulting spot-kick.

Boro were better after the break but it took a superb stoppage time save to deny the Bees a last-gasp equaliser.

“It was a very important three points,” said a relieved Karanka.

“We were not at our best, we played better against Manchester City than we did against Brentford, but we scored a goal and got three points so that's why it is important.

“It's difficult to win games even when you play well so it is even harder to win when you don't.

“For example, we played well against Reading but didn't win, today we haven't played well but won the game.

“We were lucky today but we were unlucky against Blackburn at home before Christmas, so that is football.

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Middlesbrough's George Friend celebrates after the game

“Brentford are a good team, they have been winning a lot of games at home, they are strong here, so we knew it would be difficult to win.”

Boro have enjoyed an unbeaten January, winning two FA Cup games and three league fixtures as well as drawing at Reading.

Karanka is a hot tip for the manager of the month award but he's more concerned about the hectic programme that his team faces in the coming weeks.

“January has been brilliant but it has passed now and we are only thinking about February because we have seven games in 21 days.”

New signing Adam Forshaw made his Boro debut against his former club at Griffin Park, coming off the bench in the 68th minute, and Karanka was pleased with his contribution.

“He showed confidence and character and why he is the kind of player we want here.”