MIDDLESBROUGH missed a chance to go to the top of the Championship after being held 1-1 at Hull City.

Brit Assombalonga opened the scoring for Boro by heading in Jonny Howson's deep cross at the far post six minutes into the second half.

But Hull equalised through Jarrod Bowen's penalty 18 minutes later after Chris Martin was fouled in the Middlesbrough penalty area.

Tony Pulis' side thought they had regained the lead on 89 minutes but Howson's downward header from Stewart Downing's cross was superbly saved from City keeper David Marshall.

The result means Boro drop to third in the table on goal difference while the Tigers climb out of the bottom three.

Boro had the best chance of the first-half as Assombalonga's curling effort went narrowly wide on 20 minutes, but Hull's Markus Henrikson also came close, shooting off target after a quick free-kick.

The promotion chasers could have been 2-0 up moments after their first goal as Howson and Assombalonga combined again but the latter was denied by City keeper Marshall.

As both teams pushed for a winner Henrikson nearly gave Hull all three points eight minutes from time after a good run into the Middlesbrough penalty area but his shot was easily saved by goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

Report supplied by Press Association