Neither side could find a breakthrough in the first 45 minutes of the Championship clash between Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.

Aitor Karanka's men could have taken the lead early in the game when Adam Reach raided into the penalty area, but Simon Eastwood spread himself big to gather the ball at his feet as he was about to pull the trigger.

Rovers responded and came close as they won a corner, and Craig Conway's delivery from the right was good enough to pick out Ben Marshall, but the midfielder guided his header wide of the target.

Marshall went close again for Gary Bowyer's side as his free kick from just outside the box looked to be heading into the bottom corner before Dimitrios Konstantopoulos palmed the ball wide of the target.

Boro hit back with a good opportunity as Kike raided into the penalty area, but his strike from a tight angle was well saved by Eastwood at his near post.

The visitors were denied the lead just before the break as Eastwood made a fingertip stop to keep Reach's powerful drive out of the net, while Rovers defenders managed to hack away the rebound.