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Middlesbrough and Blackburn cancelled each other out at the Riverside with a goalless draw that leaves both sides in the relegation zone.

Blackburn enjoyed the better of a first-half of few chances, with Keith Andrews and Roque Santa Cruz going closest for the visitors.

Boro offered more after the break, but clear chances were few and far between.

Jason Roberts twice went close late on for Rovers but Boro keeper Brad Jones rescued his side with fine saves.

With just one point separating the two sides in the depths of the relegation scap, it was perhaps no surprise that this was not a game for the purist.

Blackburn’ Andre Ooijer was booked inside the first five minutes for a clumsy foul, but the resulting free-kick cleared the penalty area by some distance before bouncing out for a throw-in.

Blackburn welcomed Santa Cruz, the subject of a series of bids from Manchester City during January, back to their starting line-up and the Paraguayan provided plenty of quality.

THIS SEASON’S REVERSE FIXTURE

Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Middlesbrough
25 October 2008 – Ref: Mike Dean
Blackburn scorer: McCarthy 90
Middlesbrough scorer: Alves 74

REFEREE

Chris Foy (St Helens, Merseyside)