Norwich City 3-3 Middlesbrough: Carrick Championship view

Tommy Conway saw his spot kick saved by George Long at 3-1 to the visitors, and within minutes Sainz had crashed home his second of the game with a swerving strike into the top corner from just inside the penalty box.

Seny Dieng then made a hash of Kellen Fisher’s cross to deny the Teessiders a victory Carrick felt they deserved.

“Really pleased with that, disappointed the way it ended,” he said. “To concede two goals from 25 yards in the top corner, and then a bad goal from our point of view, the third goal. But other than that, I thought we were really good. Two unbelievable strikes.

"The first one, we could do something a little bit more about, I think, in terms of the build up and getting our pressing structure and closing off a space a little bit better. But still, it is a hell of a hit and the second one even better.

“I'm really proud of all the boys, to be honest. I thought they were fantastic for the most part, to come here against a really, really good team and play like we did, cause them so many problems, and be in such a good position to win the game.”

Conway’s tame second half penalty was compounded by Sainz’s stunner to set up a grandstand finish.

“You feel the energy in the stadium shift. I think the turning point was probably their second goal. He put it in the top corner from 25 yards and then it swung a little bit,” said Carrick, who saw his side beat Sheffield United in midweek. “I still fancied us to get a goal and score again, but we couldn't quite pull it off.

"They are a good team of good players who can cause you problems. It shows probably how well we have done for the rest of the game to keep them largely quiet.

“We've seen it before, momentum is not always easy to stop. We're disappointed with the result. I think we've had two games now against really good teams this week where we've been the best team, and we've played really well, and we're disappointed we haven't had six points.”