Middlesbrough go in at half time level with Championship strugglers Fulham, but both sides have had opportunities to go ahead at the Riverside Stadium.
After a quiet opening the game, Boro almost took the lead through Albert Adomah on 12 minutes only for the winger to see his effort hit the post.
Seconds later, Adomah then had another opportunity to break the deadlock, but smashed his shot high and wide of Marcus Bettinelli's goal.
Fulham, looking to build on their promising 4-0 victory at home to Bolton Wanderers in midweek, almost found a goal when Dan Burn headed Konstantinos Stafylidis's free kick just wide of goal.
Within seconds the hosts were threatening the Cottagers' rearguard again as Kike's strike was kept out by Bettinelli.
Later in the half, both sides had opportunities to edge ahead, Stafylidis seeing his effort blocked by the Boro defence before Grant Leadbitter was frustrated seconds later following a fast break.