Middlesbrough 2 Blackpool 2 MIDDLESBROUGH were left to rue plenty of missed opportunities and two lapses in concentration as Blackpool came from behind twice to earn a point at the Riverside Stadium.

Manager Tony Mowbray had to look on in frustration in the closing stages as the Seasiders threatened to claim all three points from a fixture that Boro controlled for the most part.

It had looked on so many occasions during the 90 minutes that Middlesbrough would claim their third successive home win for the first time in two years.

Scott McDonald was the goal-hero for the Teessiders. He directed a controlled header from Barry Robson's cross inside quarter of an hour to give the hosts the lead.

But then Blackpool hit back for the first time six minutes later when Gary Taylor-Fletcher was afforded the time and space to pick out Ludovic Sylvestre, who side-footed beyond goalkeeper Jason Steele from 20 yards.

Even then Middlesbrough created plenty of chances, with Blackpool's No 1 saving a number of efforts, most notably a downward header from McDonald that seemed destined for his bottom right corner.

And when Gilks could do nothing to prevent the Aussie, who ended an 11-match drought in his previous outing, from turning Rhys Williams' centre in to the net to give Boro the lead again with 19 minutes left.

However, moments after Williams was replaced by Alex Nimely and Robson was asked to switch in to the middle, Blackpool broke and grabbed a second equaliser six minutes later through Jonjo Shelvey.

It was not an attractive goal – a scramble which ended with the Liverpool loanee striking high beyond Steele – but it was enough to frustrate Mowbray and the majority of the Riverside.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; McMahon, Bates, McManus, Bennett; Robson, Bailey, Williams (Nimely 77), Zemmama (Haroun 84); McDonald (Ogbeche 84), Emnes. Subs: Arca, Martin.

BLACKPOOL (4-3-3): Gilks; Baptiste, Cathcart, Evatt, Crainey; Ferguson, Southern, Sylvestre (Clarke 75); McManaman (K Phillips 71), Taylor-Fletcher (M Phillips 65), Shelvey. Subs (not used): Basham, Angel.