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It would be ‘heartbreaking’ if Boro didn’t go up now says fans’ favourite Craig Hignett.

The former Midget Gem midfielder believes Aitor Karanka’s side will squeeze into an automatic promotion spot as the tense three way shoot-out comes to a climax.

But the stakes are high and Higgy, now Hartlepool boss, says he will be ‘gutted’ if Boro fall short.

“It's tight,” he said. “Boro should be away and home and dry by now.

“But listen, they are still in with a shout and I think they have as a good a shout as any. Boro have been consistently one of the best teams in the league all season without a shadow of a doubt.

“So hopefully they will get the two positive results in the remaining games,” he told the new UTBTV86 on-line talk show hosted by former matchday commentator Dave Roberts.

“And I think they will,” he went on. “I think they will do it. I think Boro will go up and ... and... well, you could toss a coin between the others.

“Brighton are on a hell of a run, a fantastic run but Burnley are strong too and haven’t lost a game since Christmas, I think it’s 20 odd games now.

“It's so tight and the teams up there are all in good form but I think Boro will get the results they need. Fingers crossed.”

But with the top three split by goal difference alone and Boro set to host Brighton in a final day showdown, the margin for error is slim and a slip now could see Boro fall short - a prospect that would sting the former Scouse schemer.

“I’d be so gutted if they didn’t go up,” he admitted. “I be gutted if they didn’t do it for everyone connected with the club and for Steve Gibson, who has put in a lot of money and for the ambition that he has shown, again, for them not to do it would be just heartbreaking

“And I’d be gutted for the fans too. They are all desperate for Premier League football, the whole club is desperate for Premier League football.

“Going to games next year as a Premier League club will be fantastic and it is something they all deserve because I know how hard they all work behind the scenes.”

• You can watch the first on-line edition of the new UTBTV show here .