Bramble And Woodgate Star In Bore Draw

NEWCASTLE: Given, Solano, Onyewu, Bramble, Taylor, Milner (Sibierski 78), Parker, Butt, N'Zogbia, Dyer, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Huntington, O'Brien, Carroll.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Cattermole (Morrison 59), Boateng, Arca (Euell 84), Downing,Viduka, Yakubu (Lee 64).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Xavier.

Att: 52,303

Newcastle took the match to Middlesbrough, but failed to make the most of the odd chance that came their way, as the Smogs dug in and obviously had one thing in mind ... kill the game and nick a point.

So in summary, they got what their came for, leaving the Toon fans frustrated having to watch 90 minutes of nothingness.

In a game when chances were few and far between, the Mags squandered the best of them, obviously lacking the cutting edge that they have to improve on if they want automatic qualification to the UEFA Cup.

James Milner hit the bar with a 51st-minute free-kick and skipper Scott Parker forced Mark Schwarzer into a vital last-minute save. But that apart, the game was a none event.

Obafemi Martins had a day he'd rather forget, and passed up three glorious opportunities to break the deadlock.

The Smogs were "offically" looking for their first top-flight double over the Toon since 1978, but in all honesty didn't try to get into Shay Given's penalty box the entire match. And they wonder why they are struggling to fill seats in their little MFI stadium over in ICI City. Obviously the Smogs would rather take their wives shopping.

With a strikeforce of Mark Viduka and Ayegbeni Yakubu you'd expect more from them, but Boro failed (or were too shy) to find a final ball.

It could be said the in-form Titus Bramble did an excellent job on Yakubu and Oguchi Onyewu was equal to Viduka, but Jonathan Woodgate did a similar job in the Boro defence.

Referee Steve Bennett waved away Dyer's appeals for a 79th-minute penalty after he was bundled to the ground by Arca and that summed up a poor afternoon.