Hull City boss Steve Bruce: 'Defeat is cruel'

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has refused to hide his disappointment at his team's 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Friday night.

It appeared that the points would be shared between the two Championship rivals following a tight affair, but David Nugent headed a 91st-minute winner for Middlesbrough, who have moved to within four points of the leaders Burnley in the table.

Hull, however, are now eight points off the summit and without a win in their last five in the league.

"It is cruel. We have had the two outstanding chances in the game and not taken them. We have to take the chances and over the last month, that has been our Achilles heel. It is cruel," Bruce told Sky Sports News. "We are all disappointed, but we will dust ourselves down and go again."

The Tigers will return to Championship action at home to Bristol City on April 4.