Huddersfield Town 0, Middlesbrough 0
Huddersfield Town’s unbeaten record was stretched to five games but they remain third bottom on 10 points as Middlesbrough earned only their third point on the road this term to stay above the Terriers.
The game was not short of endeavour even if quality in front of goal was lacking as Town looked the more organised and energetic side with the visitors only looking dangerous late on.
Embed from Getty ImagesAshley Fletcher contrived to miss from point blank range as Middlesbrough showed their lack of confidence in front of goal and only showed sustained threat when Town flagged in the final ten minutes.
Kamil Grabara’s absence was Town’s only change from the side that drew 2-2 at Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.
The Polish youngster had suffered from a stomach bug that had swept the squad and was replaced by 19-year-old Ryan Schofield who, on his Championship debut for the club, earned Town’s third clean sheet of the season despite sustaining a knee injury late in the game.
Middlesbrough also changed their keeper from their weekend game, with Aynsley Pears coming in for Darren Randolph, who picked up an injury in training, while Fletcher replaced Britt Assombalonga upfront.
Both sides created little in the first half despite a strong team pressing performance from the Terriers in a game that didn’t really ignite.
Town were carving out the better chances, with Lewis O’Brien and Adama Diakhaby going close.
Christopher Schindler and O’Brien at least gave Pears something to save in the Middlesbrough goal with long range efforts before the break.
Marvin Johnson free kick saved by Ryan Schofield; Ashley Fletcher misses a sitter from point blank range
Boro improved after the restart and Marvin Johnson sent in low free kick from the right surprising the Town defence, but Fletcher contrived to blaze the loose ball over the bar from 3 yards out to the delight of home fans when a goal seemed certain for the visitors after Schofield’s save landed at his feet.
Juninho Bacuna made his customary second half appearance from the bench after 55 minutes, replacing Trevoh Chalobah, and Frazier Campbell replaced Adama Diakhaby 8 minutes later.
Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate also made a change, with Britt Assombalonga replacing Fletcher in the 64th minute and adding his height to the Boro attack.
Johnson’s corner was met by Daniel Ayala but Schofield stood tall to made the save – Boro’s first attempt on target after 68 minutes.
Grant’s cross was scooped over the bar from outside the box as Bacuna looked for glory with spaces opening up for both sides in the final quarter.
Assombalonga’s shot was blocked by Jadon Brown who ran back to cover as the big striker was sent clear by George Saville’s cross.
Schofield had been struggling with a left knee injury in the second half and needed treatment in the final ten minutes as Town found themselves increasingly on the back foot.
Assombalonga’s late cut back after a Boro break was cleared as Town survived a late Boro surge and six minutes of added time at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Town had a late shout for a penalty turned down when Campbell seemed to be fouled by Saville during added time but they had to settle for a share of the spoils.
MATCH STATS – Huddersfield Town 0, Middlesbrough 0
Huddersfield Town: Schofield, Simpson, Elphick, Schindler (C), Brown, Hogg, Chalobah (Bacuna 55), Diakhaby (Campbell 63), O’Brien, Kachunga, Grant
Huddersfield Town Subs not used: Coleman, Mbenza, Mounie, Stankovic, Hadergjonaj
Booking: Bacuna 90+7 (foul on Jonny Howson)
Middlesbrough: Pears, Fry, Ayala (C), Shotton, Howson, McNair, Wing, Saville (Clayton 90+3), Johnson (Coulson 77), Tavernier, Fletcher (Assombalonga 64)
Middlesbrough Subs not used: Meijias, Djiksteel, Browne, Liddle
Booked: Fry 17 (bringing down Karlan Grant); McNair 39 (bringing down Lewis O’Brien); Saville 84 (foul)
Referee: Tony Harrington
Attendance: 22839 (1789 Middlesbrough fans)