MIDDLESBROUGH’S UNDER-23s survived the dismissal of Dael Fry as they claimed a goalless draw with Aston Villa.

Fry’s first appearance since returning from a loan spell at Rotherham United did not go to plan as he was dismissed in the closing stages of the game at Villa Park, and Boro were indebted to a stoppage-time penalty save from Aynsley Pears as they drew 0-0.

Arnel Jakupovic came close with a first-half header that was saved, before Villa came within inches of breaking the deadlock as Harry McKirdy smacked a shot against the underside of the crossbar.

Callum Cooke saw a decent shot saved with ten minutes left, but Boro were reduced to ten men two minutes later when Fry received a straight red card for bringing down Keinan Davis close to the edge of the area.

Pears conceded a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time when he brought down Jack Clarke in the area, but the Boro shot-stopper redeemed himself as he saved Davis’ spot-kick.

Middlesbrough: Pears, Johnson, McGhee, Burn (Elsdon 46 (Pattison 69)), Fry, Kitching, Morris, Tinkler, Jakupovic, Cooke (Coulson 90), Mondal.