Middlesbrough 0-0 Burnley: Scott Parker's side miss opportunity to move second in Championship after stalemate

Burnley missed the chance to move second in the Championship after being held to a goalless draw at Middlesbrough.

Little separated either side in the first half, with Jaidon Anthony working well to create openings for the visitors while Delano Burgzorg impressed for Boro and had a great chance when his shot flashed wide of a post.

Both teams had great opportunities after the break with Josh Brownhill coming close twice either side of a menacing Finn Azaz strike, which was saved by James Trafford, but neither team was able to find the breakthrough.

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A point sees Burnley go 11 games unbeaten in the Championship, three points behind leaders Leeds while Boro are now into the play-off positions on goal difference.

A quick start to the match saw Anthony's effort blocked before Boro captain Hayden Hackney launched a well-timed cross-field ball into Burgzorg on the wing, but the forward had his shot cleared.

Burnley began to control the game more and the hosts did well to clear dangerous crosses from Bashir Humphreys and Brownhill before Josh Laurent had his strike smothered by Tom Glover at the near post.

Anthony caused problems on the right, forcing the Boro defence to hook away two inviting low crosses before Ben Doak suddenly broke forward and floated a ball into the box for Emmanuel Latte Lath, who nodded over the bar.

The visitors threatened again when Anthony won the ball and cut in from the right, but his strike drifted over the goal.

A swift break from Boro saw Latte Lath unable to get a shot away after challenging for the ball on the edge of the area before falling to the floor and Burgzorg pounced on the loose ball, sending a shot wide.

Burgzorg continued to be involved after the break, where he had another effort blocked and Trafford made a comfortable save from Azaz's tame strike.

Burnley had a great chance when Glover punched the ball away from a cross, which was picked up by Brownhill, but he was denied following a great block from centre-half Fry and the visitors came close again after Anthony blasted a free-kick over the bar.

Azaz nearly found the opener for Boro after unleashing a curling effort from inside the box, but Trafford was able to push the ball away.

The visitors had another brilliant chance in the 76th minute when Anthony broke in from the right and hit a low pass into an unmarked Brownhill lurking in the centre of the box, but the Burnley skipper smashed the ball well over the bar.

Boro pushed for a winner in the final stages, but Dan Barlaser's curling free-kick was cleared away.

The managers

Middlesbrough's Michael Carrick:

"It was a good-level game in terms of concentration. The boys had to be at it. They are a really, really good team.

"It was a good clean sheet for us, a good way to bounce back in some way after the week we've had. It gives us a foundation to move forward.

"There are certain things we do need to get better at, for sure. I know they had a couple of opportunities and they'll probably be disappointed, but in the main, I thought the boys were fantastic.

"Coming on the back of playing with 10 men for a spell the other day, the energy levels were really good and the subs made a good impact for us and made a difference for us. Who knows on another day?

"We're looking for that little moment that we've been able to find in front of goal. We didn't quite have that around the box today, but they're a good team, they don't give much away."

Burnley's Scott Parker:

"It was a tough game. We had our moments and for sure we have an absolute glorious chance.

"It was probably going to be defined on a fine margin and we didn't manage to execute that. But overall pleased. I thought they gave me absolutely everything and we showed some real quality in our moments.

"It could be an important week when you look at our schedule. We've managed to accumulate and pick up points. I've been in this division a long time and I know how relentless it is.

"We're nudging on in the right direction. The team is constantly improving. A young team in development as well."

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