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Middlesbrough and near neighbours Newcastle played out a goalless stalemate in a match desperately short on quality at The Riverside.

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Newcastle’s Obafemi Martins came closest to breaking the deadlock with a shot that hit the bar after 35 minutes.

He also saw a deflected shot fly just off target after the break.

Afonso Alves shot inches over for Middlesbrough and Newcastle keeper Shay Given saved well from Justin Hoyte’s effort with 16 minutes left.

Joe Kinnear, confirmed as Newcastle manager until the end of the season 24 hours before kick-off, will be happy with a point that takes them out of the bottom three of the Premier League as arch-rivals Sunderland fall into the drop zone.

Middlesbrough threatened intermittently, but neither side produced enough to say they deserved victory.

The first 45 minutes was a cagey affair, with real chances were at a premium.

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