MIDDLESBROUGH extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to four games and kept their third clean sheet on the bounce – but such is the need for victories at this stage of the season, there's an overriding feeling of frustration at having to settle for a point against Blackburn at the Riverside.

Particularly after going so close to snatching the winner in the last minute when Isaiah Jones hit the bar and substitute Sammy Silvera miskicked the rebound.

Boro had their moments against Rovers and on another day would have forced a breakthrough that would have ensured they kept the pressure on their top six rivals. But in truth, it didn't quite happen for Michael Carrick's side, who made a bright start but lost their way and didn't click in the front third.

And in fairness to Blackburn, they’ll no doubt think they were good value for a point. They played their part and had their chances, especially in the early stages of the second half when they sensed an opportunity.

Carrick’s side now have two weeks to try and lift themselves for one final play-off push, though the head coach's immediate priority will be checking on the condition of two key men. Rav van den Berg missed this game through injury and Marcus Forss was forced off in the first half.

This had the look of a big opportunity and an inevitable slip-up rolled into one for Boro. Blackburn headed for Teesside having only won once since mid-December and with John Eustace still awaiting his first victory as boss. Cue fears of Rovers bringing those rotten records to an end, just like Plymouth did when they won at the Riverside recently.

That didn’t look likely early on. Boro made a bright and confident start but lost their rhythm after Forss’s injury.

Both keepers were forced into early saves, with Aynsley Pears stopping well with his feet to deny Emmanuel Latte Lath and Seny Dieng fisting away a low strike from Sammie Szmodics.

Szmodics, as expected, was the dangerman and threatened again in the opening quarter of an hour, with Paddy McNair on hand to make a fine sliding interception.

By that stage, though, Boro should have been ahead. If Michael Carrick could have asked for a glorious early chance to be presented to any of his players he’d have almost certainly picked Marcus Forss but the forward – usually so clinical – somehow missed the target from just two yards out. In fairness to the Finn, Luke Ayling’s flicked front post header from a corner from the right came at him fast, but he’d have still backed himself to score. Instead, his effort flashed across the face of goal and out to safety, to the relief of grateful Pears.

Forss’ frustrations soon deepened. Before the game was 20 minutes old, he was forced off injured and replaced by Finn Azaz.

Sam Gallagher often comes alive against Boro and the striker was sniffing a chance late in the first half when a long ball was aimed in his direction. McNair made one superb interception and Lukas Engel followed with another.  

Boro very nearly forced a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when McGree’s lofted cross was met by Ayling and blocked on the line by Dominic Hyam.

But the hosts were sluggish in the early stages of the second period and Blackburn started to grow in confidence as they sensed an opportunity. Gallagher stung the hands of Dieng from the edge of the area then fired over.

Boro got into promising positions but failed to make the most of them. They needed a moment like McGree’s at Birmingham. The Aussie international set about looking for a repeat but flashed a shot wide.

Carrick turned to his bench and made a treble change, with Sam Greenwood, Sammy Silvera and Dan Barlaser introduced – but it was Blackburn substitute Tyrhys Dolan who almost broke the deadlock when he looked to pounce on a loose ball in the box before Boro managed to scramble clear.

Boro so nearly won it in the last minute when Jones cut inside and took aim but his shot was deflected onto the bar and Silvera miskicked the rebound.