Millwall 1-0 Nottingham Forest: Aitor Karanka defiant after Forest lose at Millwall

Under-pressure manager Aitor Karanka says he wants to stay at Nottingham Forest for "many years" and will work to continue to strive to bring Premier League football to the City Ground until he is told otherwise.

A 1-0 defeat against lowly Millwall - courtesy of Ryan Tunnicliffe's overhead kick - means the Reds have lost three matches in a winless five-game run.

The Reds wasted a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with Norwich on Boxing Day, adding to mounting speculation that Karanka, who guided Middlesbrough to promotion from the Championship in 2015-16, will lose his job.

But Karanka's side are still only three points adrift of the play-off places.

He told BBC Radio Nottingham that "almost nothing surprises me in football" when asked if he had discussed his future with the club's hierarchy.

"The only think I know is that when I signed, I signed on a two-and-a-half-year project and I am building a squad to take the first step," he added

"I arrived to a project as I did in Middlesbrough with two and a half years to try to do the same. I will work my best, be honest and try to put this club up where it belongs."

There was plenty of support for the Spaniard from the 2,220 fans who travelled to south London, but they saw their side begin slowly and trail to Tunnicliffe's stylish overhead kick inside 10 minutes after a half-cleared corner.

Forest improved in the latter stages of the first half and began to dominate possession, but they lacked guile and good chances were rare.

Joe Lolley forced a decent save from Lions keeper Jordan Archer and Matty Cash shot just wide, while Jack Colback and Lolley both went close after the interval.

Millwall, whose six league victories have all come at home this season, only threatened sporadically with a deflected Jed Wallace the closest they came to adding to the lead.

But they survived with few serious scares to move three points clear of the relegation zone.

Karanka said: "I am really pleased with this group of players and with the crowd and I want to say thanks for their support. I want to keep going together.

"I am really pleased because you can win or lose but the fans support. I want to make this crowd proud of the team and I think they are.

"After six months we are only three points below the play-off positions. We have played the top teams and in January we have the transfer market and the team is improving every week.

"We compete against every single team and I am really positive. My target is to work here for many years. Why I signed is because I had a project in front of me."

Millwall manager Neil Harris:

"We got the job done. The noise in the stadium was outstanding.

"We got the early goal and we were terrific in the first half. We played in really good areas, created chances and looked a real threat every time we went forward.

"We could have been better in the second half - especially with the ball. But I think the other day [Wednesday's win over Reading] took a lot out the legs of the players.

"We look a lot healthier with two victories in a short space of time. I've said to the players that it's great what we've done in the last few days, but it must be followed up by finishing this Christmas period off well."