FootyChatter.com

Middlesbrough have failed to score in three of their past seven matches Middlesbrough dropped more points in the Championship automatic promotion race as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers. But with Ipswich Town and Millwall, the two sides below them, drawing with each other, they maintained a two-point cushion over both with just seven games left to play. However, this was a missed opportunity as, like in recent games, they failed to take their chances and it is now just two wins in their past eight matches. David Strelec came closest when he was denied by Rovers keeper Balazs Toth late in the first half, but they ran out of ideas after the break. For Blackburn, this was another useful result in their battle to avoid going down as they inched a further point nearer to safety. Ryoya Morishita had their only shot on target on a day when they were forced to defend for large periods. The first half saw Boro, without star midfielder Hayden Hackney due to a calf injury, dominate possession and Toth bookended it with fine saves from Luke Ayling and Strelec. In between, United States midfielder Aidan Morris wasted the best chance of the lot as he fired into the side netting after being picked out in space inside the area, while Tommy Conway and Alan Browne were also guilty of not making the most of fine situations. And there was a warning at the other end as, from the only time Blackburn managed to exert any pressure, Morishita drew a reaction stop out of Sol Brynn. But other than a tame effort from Morris that bobbled at Toth, they struggled to create anything of note in the second half. Despite attacking the end housing their 7, 000 supporters, a collective anxiety came over their play as time ticked away from them. Since winning at Sheffield United to go top in early February, Boro have collected 10 points from eight games and have dropped points in matches against four of the bottom seven. And having not won any of their past four games at the Riverside Stadium, those struggles spread to their travels. Millwall hit back to draw at Ipswich For Blackburn head coach Michael O'Neill, this was his last assignment before he reverts to his international role with only five days to go before Northern Ireland's World Cup play-off away to Italy. Rovers were in the bottom three when he arrived in February, so part one of his remit has been completed as they have certainly picked up since he came in with 11 points from eight games, but he will know there is still plenty more to do once the international break is over. They were resolute defensively – qualities Northern Ireland will need in Bergamo – and after winning at Millwall last Saturday, they took more points off a promotion contender. Blackburn Rovers head coach Michael O'Neill told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's hugely important for us not to concentrate on the league table. Where we are at the minute is how do we continue to build on that positivity and get momentum. "That gives us four points from two very difficult games in the top four and once we come back from the international break, hopefully the players will be refreshed and a little bit stronger in terms of our options, and we've got Birmingham away and West Brom at home, two huge games. "All we can do is ask the players to fight and give what they gave and I thought they were magnificent and the fans saw that today in the performance. " This video can not be played O'Neill: 'I can't ask any more of the players' Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg said: "It was a very, very good first half. The first 15, 20 minutes of the second half felt very good but then it became open from us trying to chase the game. "We wanted it so much that we lost a bit of control and quality in terms of how we played, but it was a good performance in many ways. "We're doing our best, we kept a clean sheet away from home, we're trying to score, we created a lot of opportunities, but it didn't fall for us. "Of course we need to score goals. If we don't, we won't win games. " This video can not be played Hellberg: 'Sad' not to celebrate with 'top' Boro fans After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 21st March 2026 at 19: 06 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Kim Hellberg Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Michael O'Neill Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Kim Hellberg Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions The last four Championship meetings between Blackburn (1) and Middlesbrough (2) have produced just three goals, with this season’s reverse fixture finishing 0-0 at the Riverside. Middlesbrough won in this exact fixture last season (2-0 in April 2025); they haven’t won consecutive league matches at Ewood Park since the 1980s (won three between 1986 and 1989). Blackburn have won three of their seven Championship games under Michael O’Neill (D1 L3), as many victories as they had in their 18 league games prior to O’Neill’s arrival (W3 D7 L8). Middlesbrough are winless in their last two Championship games (D1 L1); they only scored one goal across those two matches, despite attempting 53 shots, amassing 5. 05 expected goals, and having 122 touches in the opposition box. Morgan Whittaker has averaged a goal or assist every 139 minutes under Kim Hellberg; his best minutes per goal involvement ratio under any manager in the Championship (min. 5 games). Substitution, Middlesbrough. Jeremy Sarmiento replaces David Strelec. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Adam Forshaw. Delay over. They are ready to continue. Delay in match because of an injury Tom Atcheson (Blackburn Rovers). Attempt missed. Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Callum Brittain with a cross following a set piece situation. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Yuki Ohashi replaces Mathias Jørgensen. Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Todd Cantwell (Blackburn Rovers). Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Sean Mc Loughlin. Attempt blocked. Riley Mc Gree (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tommy Conway. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Leo Castledine replaces Luke Ayling. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Todd Cantwell replaces Moussa Baradji. Substitution, Blackburn Rovers. Harry Pickering replaces Yuri Ribeiro. Attempt missed. Moussa Baradji (Blackburn Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left following a fast break. Offside, Blackburn Rovers. Moussa Baradji is caught offside. Foul by Matt Targett (Middlesbrough). Ryoya Morishita (Blackburn Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt saved. Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Balázs Tóth (Blackburn Rovers). Assisted by Tommy Conway. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Taylor Gardner-Hickman. Offside, Middlesbrough. Tommy Conway is caught offside. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.