Final-score: Middlesbrough 0 Bournemouth 0

MIDDLESBROUGH missed the opportunity to go top of the Championship after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Bournemouth.

It was an opportunity missed for both teams, with former Boro boss Steve McClaren and Derby County capitalising to move top of the pack after their win over Wolves in the lunchtime kick-off.

A crowd of 22,290 – Boro’s biggest this season by 4,500 – couldn’t inspire the hosts to their third win in a week.

Adam Reach and Lee Tomlin went close for Middlesbrough, but the Cherries, who started the day level on points with their hosts, had chances of their own to win the game.

Karanka made two changes from the side that beat Norwich 4-0 midweek with Adam Reach and Yanic Wildschut brought in to replace Kike and Albert Adomah.

The first real chance of the game fell to Tomlin, who weaved through the Cherries defence before unleashing a low shot that Artur Boruc saved.

Eddie Howe’s men responded well to Boro’s good start with Matt Ritchie forcing a good save from Dimi Konstantopoulos after good work by Yann Kermorgant and Marc Pugh.

Reach came close to giving the Teessiders a 15th minute lead when his 30-yard drive looked to be dipping under the bar, but the ball rattled the woodwork to the hosts’ frustration.

Tomlin’s running caused Bournemouth more problems when he drove through the middle but this time he scuffed his low shot wide of the post.

The Cherries came into the game more as the half wore on and Ritchie brought a great save from Konstantopoulos after Ben Gibson had headed straight to the forward on the edge of the area.

From the corner, Bournemouth went close again and this time Charlie Daniels saw his shot deflect over the bar.

Two minutes before the break Boro escaped again when Harry Arter’s dipping shot clipped the bar.

Karanka introduced Kike at half time in place of Wildschut, but it was Bournemouth who started the second period brighter.

Calum Wilson’s volley went inches over the bar with the Cherries pressing high up the field.

Chances were at a premium, but Konstantopoulos had to stay alert when Pugh’s rasping drive came his way.

With the clock ticking Karanka introduced Jelle Vossen, but with two minutes left it was Reach who created a chance to win, but the winger’s long range effort sailed over.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos; Fredericks, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Reach, Leadbitter, Clayton, Wildschut (Kike, 46); Tomlin (Vossen, 80), Bamford (Adomah, 68).

Not used: Mejias, Nsue, Whitehead, Veljkovic.

Bournemouth: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Elphick, Daniels, Pugh, Arter, Surman, Ritchie (Fraser, 74), Wilson, Kermorgant (Pitman, 74).

Not used: Camp, Smith, Harte, Gosling, Rantie.