Middlesbrough 0 Ipswich Town 0

TRUST Middlesbrough to do things the hard way. Having been knocked off top spot when Burnley beat Preston on Friday evening, the Teessiders were unable to reclaim pole position as a frustrating stalemate with Ipswich dented their promotion hopes.

Brighton’s win at Charlton means the Championship’s top three sides are all now level on 87 points with two games remaining.

If Boro win their final two matches, they will still be guaranteed a place in the Premier League. However, any margin for error has disappeared after they were unable to break down an obdurate Ipswich defence.

Jordan Rhodes came closest to a breakthrough, but the in-form striker, who had scored three goals in his previous two games, could only direct a second-half shot against the post.

Rhodes and Emilio Nsue also failed to convert decent opportunities in the first half, and while Aitor Karanka will be reasonably happy with his side’s work rate and effort in their penultimate home game, their failure to make a breakthrough could ultimately prove costly.

With George Friend ruled out because of the hamstring injury sustained in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Burnley, Aitor Karanka named Ritchie de Laet at left-back.

That was the only change to the side that lined up at Turf Moor, with Karanka sticking with Rhodes despite David Nugent’s record of 15 goals in his 14 previous appearances against Ipswich.

Burnley’s 1-0 win at Preston had knocked Boro off top spot, but the Teessiders began with an intensity and determination that reflected their desire to nudge back ahead of the Clarets.

With Nsue effectively playing as an extra midfielder, such was his constant desire to push forward from right-back, and Stewart Downing looking to deliver as many crosses as possible from the opposite flank, Ipswich’s back four found themselves under pressure from the off.

They coped reasonably well, although Rhodes only narrowly failed to connect with a dangerous delivery from Nsue, and Downing drilled a shot straight at Bartosz Bialkowski after Rhodes nodded the ball into his path.

Ben Gibson also looped a header into the Ipswich goalkeeper’s arms in the opening 25 minutes, and Boro should really have been celebrating a breakthrough shortly after the half-hour mark.

Gaston Ramirez’s slide-rule through ball sent Rhodes racing clear, but despite having plenty of time to pick his spot, the striker aimed his shot too close to Bialkowski, who was able to turn the ball wide of the upright.

Despite having scored three goals in his two previous games, Rhodes’ surprisingly tame strike was not the effort of a striker brimming with confidence.

Moments later, and it was Nsue left frustrated as he turned neatly in the area, only for his shot to deflect behind after centre-half Paul Digby threw himself to the ground to make a crucial last-ditch tackle.

Ipswich didn’t create a single opportunity in the whole of the first half, but while Mick McCarthy’s side effectively had nothing to play for, their work rate and organised approach meant Boro were unable to enjoy a comfortable afternoon.

As the second half wore on, so the edginess in the stands became more apparent. Daniel Ayala might have eased the tension ten minutes after the interval, but despite being unmarked as he met Grant Leadbitter’s corner, the centre-half could only direct a header into the ground and over the crossbar.

Boro remained the dominant side throughout the second half, but still the all-important goal would not come.

Rhodes came the closest to making a breakthrough, but after turning neatly in the area following a pass from Ramirez, the Scotsman could only fire against the base of the left-hand post.

Karanka finally brought on Nugent with eight minutes left, and the substitute had a great chance in stoppage time. Adam Clayton swung over a cross from the right, but Nugent directed his close-range header straight at Bialkowski.

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Gibson, Ayala, de Laet; Leadbitter, Clayton; Adomah, Ramirez (Nugent 82), Downing (Stuani 70); Rhodes.

Subs (not used): Agazzi (gk), Kalas, Husband, de Sart, Forshaw.

Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Digby, Knudsen (Foley 75); Skuse, Hyam (Bishop 71); Feeney, Bru (Douglas 84), Sears; McGoldrick.

Subs (not used): Gerken (gk), Pringle, Dozzell, Pitman.