Manchester City have been unable to break down a resolute Middlesbrough defence, with the first half of their FA Cup fourth-round tie ending goalless this afternoon.

The hosts dominated from the kickoff and they threatened early on when a low cross from Jesus Navas had to be parried away from danger by Tomas Mejias.

Moments later City had a shout for a penalty when Stevan Jovetic went down under a challenge from Adam Clayton, but the referee waved away their appeals.

Sergio Aguero was being kept quiet by the Boro defence, but the Argentine showed his threat when he won the ball just outside the box and drilled a strike into the side-netting.

City were in complete control and Aleksandar Kolarov saw his effort from a tight angle beaten away, before a low drive from Jovetic was parried by Mejias.

Dedryck Boyata should have found the net on the half-hour mark when he blasted over following a corner and James Milner saw an attempt pushed behind as the hosts continued to dominate.

Mejias was being kept busy and he was again called into action to turn David Silva's deflected strike behind for a corner.

However, City could not find a way through by the end of the half as the two sides went into the break on level terms.