Leeds United 0 Middlesborough 0: Boro manager Aitor Karanka could face FA punishment over referee claims

The Spaniard reacted angrily after seeing one of his players sent off and a goal disallowed at Elland Road

Aitor Karanka's side came up short against Leeds, even with £9m striker Jordan Rhodes in the starting line-up (Reuters)

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka risks being punished by the Football Association after suggesting that his team are being deliberately penalised by referees.

After watching his side's bid for promotion from the Championship stall again at Leeds - where a goalless draw left Middlesbrough without a win in five matches - the Spaniard reacted angrily to a disallowed goal in the first half and a red card for defender Ben Gibson in the second, claiming his side are treated differently from others.

Boro's new signing Jordan Rhodes had a goal ruled out before half-time when the officials ruled that the ball was out of play before Emilio Nsue supplied the cross from which Rhodes put the ball in the net. Middlesbrough players appeared to offer no more than a token protest to referee Craig Pawson but television replays suggested it was an incorrect decision.

Gibson was sent off late in the match for a second yellow card following a foul on substitute Lee Erwin, having been punished earlier for bringing down Mirco Antenucci. Adam Clayton, meanwhile, picked up his 10th caution of the campaign, triggering an automatic ban.

"It was a clear goal because the ball did not go out of play," Karanka said. "Again it is not the same for one team as for the other team. That's the reason I am frustrated.

"With the sending-off, maybe it is two yellow cards but I cannot understand why it is so easy to show us yellow cards. It is not the same for the other teams.

"If the referee makes a mistake, you can always understand. But I can't understand why the mistakes are always for the same team. It is not the first time. That's why I don't think they are mistakes."