MIDDLESBROUGH may not have tasted victory in last night's North-East derby but they will be safe in the knowledge they can claim the cock of the north title and the bragging rights over their neighbours until next season.

Boro may not have added to their woeful Premiership record against Newcastle - two wins in 18 meetings - but it is they who travelled back down the A19 last night knowing a European place is still up for grabs.

There were high hopes for Newcastle and Middlesbrough at the start of the season. The Teessiders strived to build on the back of last season's Carling Cup win, with the aim of enjoying a successful sortie into Europe and finishing in the Premiership's top six. The summer signings of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka added a cutting edge to a previously toothless attack and everything looked rosy in the garden until an injury blight cut deep into the Boro flowerbed.

Since the start of the year they have stuttered along like a Mark I Ford Fiesta without antifreeze on a cold, frosty January morning. Despite this Boro are still on course for a top-seven finish and have the European chequered flag in their sights after last night's battling draw.

On Tyneside the pre-season signings of Patrick Kluivert, Nicky Butt and Stephen Carr offered similar optimism. The club could better last season's UEFA Cup semi-final and fifth in the Premiership. But the Magpies have flattered to deceive once again and the recent FA Cup and UEFA Cup runs has offered little more than an aspirin relief to a incurable malady that continues to eat away at the club. The latest club sore involved chairman Freddie Shepherd who refuted claims he said that Alan Shearer was going to 'knock Craig Bellamy's block off'.

The travelling Teessiders were certainly in good voice in the opening exchanges but it was Renaissance man Kieron Dyer who had the crowd on their feet - in an unfamiliar left midfield role - early on. Dyer famously refused to play on the right in the opening day's fixture and ran Andrew Davies ragged before a recurrence of his hamstring injury robbed United of his services in the 36th minute.

Graeme Souness's decision to employ a 4-5-1 formation, which turned into 4-3-3 when attacking, was a curious one given United decided to lump it long to Alan Shearer. Boro on the other hand were more composed on the ball than their, erratic at times, Tyneside neighbours.

Battles were fought on both sides and cancelled out. Chances were equally created and spurned by both clubs as they reverted to recent type - playing without confidence or quality. The result of which ensured the game as a spectacle was disappointing despite the 15 minute flurry at the end. Charles N'Zogbia's miss at the end summed up Newcastle's season, which can't come quick enough for the Magpies.

For Boro, however, it is still all to play for with Spurs battling the Teessiders for that final UEFA Cup spot.