The Middlesbrough defender struck to earn the lead against Portsmouth in the 29th minute, the exact same time he netted his only other goal for the Teessiders.
But while the 23-year-old was happy to find the target, he was unhappy his strike did not go on to replicate the 3-1 home victory he enjoyed over Hull City in the Premier League 18 months ago.
We worked on that routine in training and I just peeled off at the back post,
said Bates. The marker didn't come with me and luckily it fell nicely for me. I just smashed it through bodies.
But it would have been nicer if I was celebrating it with three points.
We're disappointed to lose a two-goal lead. We didn't get the rub of the green in the end but we can't keep saying that, we're all men and we've got to turn this around.
Bates believes Boro can turn around a run of inconsistency which sees them lie 18th in the Championship table, three points above the relegation places.
It's still very early stages,
added the Stockton-born defender.
I think Sunderland did it a few years back. They were bottom after ten games and got promotion. West Brom got promotion as well one year after only winning one in their first five. So we haven't given up hope.
The former England Under- 21 player also backed his under-fire manager to turn around a run of form which has seen Middlesbrough win only three of their opening ten Championship games.
We've got a great manager and a great group of lads and we're all sticking together.
That's how we'll get out of this situation, said Bates.
He (Strachan) doesn't let things affect him. He's a very proud man and that's why he's got to where he has in his career.
We're right behind him.
It's going to be a big game against Leeds at home next in what is really our only derby this season.
Three points in that can hopefully be a turning point for us.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo