Josh Key | We’re frustrated with the result, but will take positives from the performance

Josh Key admitted the overriding feeling was one of frustration as Swansea City suffered a narrow defeat to Middlesbrough at the Swansea.com Stadium, but he felt there was plenty to take from the manner of their performance.

The Swans had the better of the chances in the first half but found themselves behind at the break after Sam Greenwood calmly finished past Carl Rushworth.

Jamal Lowe headed in a deserved equaliser on the hour mark, but the Swans conceded a second goal 12 minutes from time after Rushworth picked the ball up in his area with the officials deeming Harry Darling’s tackle had been a deliberate attempt to play back to his keeper.

Sammy Silvera fired in the resulting indirect free-kick at the near post and, while the Swans created openings during the closing stages, they were ultimately unable to get anything from the game.

“We’re really frustrated, it’s a game we wanted to win and I think if you look at how we played in the game we deserved to take at least a point,” said Key, who played on the right of a three in support of striker Lowe.

“We conceded at the wrong times, and then – whether it’s luck or ill-discipline – their goals came out of nowhere, especially the second one.

“We had momentum, and it takes it out of you when a goal goes in like that because we were on top, pushing to find a second and then it goes against you.

“You have to look at the positives and I thought we played good football, and there’s a lot to build on in that performance.

“There are a lot of games coming up so we have to look forward to next week, take the good things from this and keep pushing.”

Key was playing in a more advanced role – something he was happy to do for the team – but felt there were situations he needed to do better in.

“We planned to switch the play because they were overloading on the left, but maybe we didn’t execute it as well as we should have,” he added.

“I should have stayed wider at times, but I’m happy to play anywhere if it’s going to help the team.

“My strength is as a full-back stepping into the game and I think I can do well in the one-v-ones, but I didn’t get as many of those as I would have liked, and struggled to impact the game, but I’m happy to play anywhere really.”