Millwall 0-0 Middlesbrough: Points shared in feisty Championship fixture
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Folarin Balogun saw his effort saved by Bartosz Bialkowski in a game of few chances
Millwall's unbeaten run in the Championship stretched to seven games in a feisty stalemate with Middlesbrough at the Den.
Five yellow cards were handed out in a stop-start first half as both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.
Millwall failed to register a single shot against Blackburn on Tuesday and this was another match where defences came out on top.
Marcus Tavernier rattled the crossbar with a thunderbolt free-kick from 35 yards out for Middlesbrough in the opening minutes.
Millwall goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski came out to deny Folarin Balogun before Paddy McNair's effort was dug out from under the crossbar for the visitors.
Murray Wallace then clipped the top of the crossbar with a header for Millwall from a corner early in the second half.
Joe Lumley in the Boro goal kept out Jake Cooper's stooping header in the second half before Benik Afobe shot wide as the game drew to a close.
The result leaves Middlesbrough eighth in the table - one point below Luton in sixth - and Millwall are 11th, three points outside the play-offs.
Millwall boss Gary Rowett speaking to PA Media: "I thought it was a really competitive game. A 0-0 probably wasn't a fair reflection of the match, there were plenty of moments in both boxes to keep you on your toes.
"I thought both teams competed really well, and it was pretty even. I don't think there was much in it.
"We had a bit less of the ball than we would have liked, but they're a difficult team to press and I thought we had the better chances in the game.
Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder: "We asked the question to the players because it was unacceptable what happened on Tuesday night [losing 4-1 at Sheffield United], and they produced a response.
"They've answered our questions at arguably the toughest of places, where they do ask the question everywhere - behind the dugout, in the stands, on the pitch.
"They're [Millwall] on a fabulous run, and they're a really competitive side, and if you're weak mentally or physically, they'll run over the top of you. We weren't.
"We put in some great challenges, and in a perverse way, I really enjoy coming here because I think it's a real test of what you're about as a professional."