LAST night's Tyne-Tees derby was supposed to sort out who are the region's top dogs. After a dour goalless draw at St James' Park, it might be safest to say that neither Newcastle nor Middlesbrough are pedigree performers.

Neither side was able to force a breakthrough in a game littered with mistakes and misplaced passes and, consequently, they were forced to settle for a result that does neither any favours.

Newcastle are still to resolve a wretched run of form that now extends to six Premiership games without a win and, with season ticket renewal forms about to drop through thousands of Tyneside letter boxes, another disappointing display hardly augurs well for next season.

Middlesbrough's fans have more to look forward to next term but, while a draw leaves their side two points clear of eighth-placed Tottenham, last night's failure to beat a below-par Newcastle represents something of a missed opportunity ahead of tricky trips to Liverpool and Manchester City.

Steve McClaren will claim that a point at St James' is a welcome return given his dreadful record on the ground but, while that was rarely in doubt, the Boro boss was grateful for the reflexes of second-choice stopper Brad Jones.

The Australian, playing in place of compatriot Mark Schwarzer, produced a sensational point-blank stop to thwart James Milner towards the end of a game otherwise devoid of goalmouth incident.

Graeme Souness will be less satisifed, especially after seeing his injury woes get worse. Newcastle's season got off to the worst possible start when Kieron Dyer refused to play on the right of midfield at the Riverside in August and, while the midfielder lined up on the opposite flank last night, it did not get much better when he suffered yet another hamstring injury. Dyer, wearing a black body stocking in an unsuccessful attempt to protect himself, saw plenty of the ball before he was withdrawn after pulling up in obvious pain before the half-hour mark.

The midfielder, who was rushed back to fitness for last night's game, has broken down more times than a clapped-out car in recent weeks and, after this latest setback, he will surely be given the rest of the season to rebuild his muscle.

Souness used his programme notes to bemoan the lack of alternatives in Newcastle's squad but, while injuries have undoubtedly hindered his side's progress this season, most Premiership clubs would kill for a bench that included Patrick Kluivert, Shola Ameobi and Laurent Robert.

Robert was not the only wing wizard kicking his heels on the sidelines, as McClaren opted to leave Stewart Downing out of his starting side for the first time since early September.

Downing, who had come off the bench to tilt things Boro's way in August, was sacrificed as McClaren went for steel over skill in the central area.

The policy suggested he had learned his lesson from five defeats in his seven previous Tyne-Tees derby games and it ensured Newcastle were unable to build up any early momentum.

With Darren Ambrose and Charles N'Zogbia struggling to find any space in a congested midfield, most of the Magpies' first-half forays involved Dyer taking on Boro full-back Andrew Davies, who had been playing for QPR as recently as last month.

Dyer, though, did not look comfortable for most of his time on the pitch and, aside from one dangerous ball from the dead-ball line, his attacking raids rarely threatened to produce an end product.

For that, Newcastle had to rely on gifts from their opponents. Gareth Southgate should have dealt with Robbie Elliott's hopeful punt forward in the 20th minute but, after the Boro skipper inexplicably directed his defensive header sideways, Milner fired a first-time volley straight at Jones.

Boro had fashioned an attacking effort of their own by that stage, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink drilling a skidding strike wide of the right-hand post after an intelligent pull-back from Szilard Nemeth, but, with neither side settling into a rhythm, chances were at a premium.

Tough tackles weren't and, while Doriva and George Boateng have built their reputation on scything challenges, the sight of both N'Zogbia and Ambrose throwing themselves into the midfield skirmish was well received by a Newcastle support that has grown unaccustomed to displays of commitment this season.

Boro's all-action style has underpinned their recent recovery and, after hassling and harrying his way through the first half, Doriva came close to testing Shay Given on the stroke of half-time with a fierce drive that was blocked by Andy O'Brien.

Nemeth went even closer seven minutes after the re-start. Looking to make it three goals in the space of five days, the Slovakian striker drilled a low shot narrowly wide of the left-hand upright after Hasselbaink's slip had created an opening following Ray Parlour's cross.

Hasselbaink's involvement in that move was unintentional and his inadequate execution prevented Boro taking the lead.

He looked a certain scorer after beating the Newcastle offside trap and latching on to Doriva's through ball but his attempted chip looped into the arms of the poorly-positioned Given.

Boro's increased impetus quickly sparked United into life as N'Zogbia fired Milner's short corner into the side netting.

Milner came closest to breaking the deadlock 15 minutes from time. His 16-yard strike could not have been hit any sweeter but Jones produced a magnificent reflex save.

There was still time for N'Zogbia to waste the best chance of the game in stoppage time. Shearer's cross teed him up on the edge of the six-yard box but the French teenager fired well over.