Middlesbrough wasted an opportunity to tighten their grip on second place as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Blackburn.

With fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich and Millwall also cancelling each other out in a 1-1 stalemate, Kim Hellberg's side had the chance to steal a march on their rivals but it was a familiar story as they failed to capitalise on their dominance.

Boro bossed the first half and should have been a couple of goals to the good, but Aidan Morris passed up a gilt-edged early chance and David Strelec's effort at the end of the half was wonderfully saved by Balazs Toth.

The pattern continued in the second half but battling Rovers stemmed the tide and, despite being roared on by more than 7,300 fans, Boro could not find a way through.

As a result, it remains as you were in the race for the Premier League but Boro are now winless in three, having scored just once.

By contrast, Blackburn were well worth the draw which could be vital in the relegation shake-up as Michael O'Neill's men made it four points in a week against teams chasing promotion to sit four clear...