Saturday 23 April 2016 21:01, UK
Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy was happy to give his friend Chris Hughton a helping hand, after the Tractor Boys held Middlesbrough to a goalless draw on Saturday.
Boro are now level on points with both Championship table-toppers Burnley and third-placed Brighton and, with just two games remaining, the promotion race remains too close to call.
Boro travel to Birmingham on Friday night, before hosting Hughton's Brighton on the final day of the season.
McCarthy said: "If I've done one person a favour it's Chris Hughton, because he's a mate and he's such a wonderful guy. So Chris, that's a point for you. I hope we've helped him get promoted.
"I haven't got a clue who is going to go up though. I tipped Derby when they beat us, I tipped Middlesbrough when they beat us at our place, I tipped Burnley at one stage, Hull when they beat us - all of them slapped us.
"Hull are nowhere near it now, so I ain't got a clue."
At the other end, Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka insisted they remain extremely well-placed despite what proved a second-successive draw - they were held to 1-1 by Burnley four days ago.
"We have to be positive. I said a month ago that we were in a good position, and I would say that we are in an amazing position now," Karanka said.
"We have two games to go, one at home, and we are more mature now and have a better squad (than last season). We are going to be more rested than we were today. For that reason, I have to be positive and transmit a positive message."
Karanka watched his players dominate for long periods against an Ipswich side who cannot make the play-offs, but despite creating a number of chances, Middlesbrough were unable to make a breakthrough.
Jordan Rhodes shot too close to Bartosz Bialkowski after breaking clear in the first half, and drilled a second-half shot against the post, while substitute David Nugent also went close with a stoppage-time header that was saved.
Karanka said: "I don't know how many chances we need to score a goal because the score today should have been three or four-nil. We had a lot of clear chances, but we couldn't score.
"When it is not your day, the ball hits the post and doesn't go in. But I am really proud of all the players.
"We have played seven games in 23 days, and in this period, to win five and draw the other two games when everybody is tired is really good."
