Bournemouth 0-0 Middlesbrough: Boro and Cherries share spoils in stalemate
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Sol Bamba and Dominic Solanke tussle for the ball in a disappointing day for the strikers
Bournemouth and Middlesbrough had to settle for a point apiece after a nerve-ridden stalemate that left both sides frustrated in their bid for automatic promotion and a play-off spot respectively.
In a game where chances were few and far between throughout, both sides cancelled each other out and neither goalkeeper had much to do.
Jefferson Lerma had the best chance, thudding a header onto the underside of the Middlesbrough crossbar that bounced clear in the second half.
But Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke and Boro's Aaron Connolly were both starved of service.
The second-placed Cherries opened up a five-point buffer on Huddersfield, who play QPR later on Saturday, while Boro remain two points outside the play-off positions.
With so many sides jostling for a top-six spot, Bournemouth are desperate to cling onto their place in the top two they have held for so long.
With Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United both losing on Friday, this may yet prove a valuable point in their bid to join champions-elect Fulham in securing automatic promotion.
The Cherries found Sol Bamba and the Middlesbrough defence in inspired form, clearing crosses and making last-ditch blocks to keep the hosts at bay.
Boro tried to get their attacking threats into the game but Isaiah Jones on the right was quieter than in recent weeks.
The visitors felt they might have had a penalty when a Jones cross from point-blank range rapped Bournemouth full-back Adam Smith on the hand, but the claim was waved away.
Bournemouth boss Scott Parker:
"I think that's a big point, that's how I see it. Of course we wanted all three points, but Boro are a well organised team and we knew they would be hard to play against.
"I was pleased with the second half and saw a group of men trying to win the game. They limited us to very few opportunities and I always felt the game would be tight.
"We are in a fantastic place with six games to go and we would not want it any other way.
"I understand the anxiousness and the desperation of everyone wanting to get this season done and dusted and for us to get promoted.
"We need to stay focused and very calm. We will be alright."
Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder:
"We've had a couple of chances, they've had a couple of chances. I think that epitomizes the game and maybe how the games are going to go from now until the end of the season.
"We're delighted with the point. There's a lot of football between now and the end of the season. I haven't got a crystal ball - who knows what it's going to take?
"We've played the two best teams in the division, Fulham and Bournemouth, in the space of 10 days. They are both really good sides and the performance levels have been good."