Stalemate frustrates Boro

The Australian clawed away Tuncay Sanli's 47th-minute header to deny Boro a victory they desperately needed.

Gareth Southgate's men enjoyed the better of the game, but Andrew Johnson was denied by a post before the break and Clint Dempsey and Bobby Zamora both went close at the end.

A draw was probably fair, although for Boro, who had appeals for a 79th-minute penalty for handball by Dickson Etuhu waved away, a point was simply not enough. They face a trip to Arsenal next weekend and then host Manchester United knowing defeat in both could prove fatal.

But for the excellent Aaron Hughes, whose heroics will not have gone unappreciated by former club Newcastle, Boro might well have gone in at half-time in front.

They also went agonisingly close to the opener within two minutes of the restart when Tuncay arrived perfectly on cue to power a header towards goal.

However, Schwarzer threw himself to his right to claw the ball away at the last moment and deny his former employers the lead.

The Australian was at it again three minutes later to tip Stewart Downing's rising drive over the bar with the Teessiders dominating.

Schwarzer was then called upon to turn away Tony McMahon's drilled 53rd-minute cross with Boro firmly in the ascendancy.

Zamora passed up a golden opportunity to win it in the final minute of normal time, but the home side were unable to take advantage.