Defiant David Moyes insists he won't quit Sunderland despite facing calls from own fans to walk away

Marten de Roon scored the only goal as Boro grabbed what could be a crucial win at the foot of the table to cap an already bad day for Moyes

Sunderland look set for the drop after yet another defeat (Getty)

David Moyes has vowed to fight on despite once again facing calls from his own fans to walk away following defeat at Middlesbrough.

Marten de Roon scored the only goal as Boro grabbed what could be a crucial win at the foot of the table to cap an already bad day for Moyes after he had been earlier hit with an FA charge following comments made to a female BBC reporter last month.

The result leaves rock-bottom Sunderland teetering on the brink of the drop, still 12 points adrift of Hull, meaning they could now be relegated this weekend if results don't get their way.

But despite sections of the travelling support sing "We want Moyesy out" during the game the Scot insists he won't walk away.

Asked afterwards if he would quit, Moyes said: "No, I'm here, I'm the manager, you take it on the chin. There is nobody who wants to win more than me. I am used to winning, I'm not used to losing and I don't want to get used to it either.

"I'm a football supporter, I know what it's like. You don't like seeing your team lose. When you are the manager and bottom of the league, then it's expected.

"But let me tell you, it's the first time that it's happened at any club I've been at."

Indeed, the Sunderland boss felt his side had played well in patches at the Riverside, if lacking a cutting edge, and defended his players after they were subjected to a chorus of "You're not fit to wear the shirt" after the final whistle.

He said: "Tonight we have lost, but there are ways to lose and tonight the players put in a performance that would have given us a chance of winning other games."

Moyes' future is in doubt as Sunderland look set to be relegated (Getty)

Boro head coach Steve Agnew was understandably far happier after De Roon's ninth-minute strike secured his first win since replacing Aitor Karanka and the club's first in the league since December 17, although they remain six points shy of safety with just 12 for which to play.

He said: "We hadn't won a game since December, so we needed to win the game, we did win the game and all the players are very, very pleased.

"I was pleased. I was pleased not so much for myself; really, really pleased for all the players and all the support staff because I know how much work has gone in in recent weeks and it's a result that they very much deserved."