Here's how Middlesbrough's players rated in the 0-0 draw with Blackburn:

7 Dieng: Good early save to deny Szmodics and denied Gallagher and Hedges in the second half.

7 Jones: Really bright start. Stuck at it and should have seen more of the ball. Went so close to a late winner.

8 Ayling: All action in the first half and made a nuisance of himself in the Blackburn box. Had more to do defensively in the second half. Has played starring role in three straight clean sheets.

8 McNair: Continued fine run. Solid and assured in the first half. Blackburn had their moments in the second half but largely limited to shots from outside the area.

8 Clarke: Played his part in a third successive clean sheet. Distribution questionable at times but defensively rock solid.

6 Engel: Solid defensively. Tried to get forward at every opportunity but final ball and passing often let him down.

7 Howson: Tried at every opportunity to drive Boro forward in the first half, while always being aware of what was happening behind.

5 O’Brien: Disappointing display from the midfielder. Too casual in possession on more than one occasion.

5 Forss: Missed an early sitter before being forced off injured after just 18 minutes.

6 McGree: Bright start but lost his way. Always on the want for the ball but sloppy.

6 Latte Lath: Tested Pears with low early shot. Worked hard and kept Blackburn defenders busy but short of supply.

Substitutes:

5 Azaz (for Forss, 18): Always looking for the ball and probed but at times too ponderous.

Greenwood (for McGree, 72): N/A

Barlaser (for O’Brien, 72): N/A

Silvera (for Latte Lath, 72): N/A

Subs not used: Glover, Gilbert, Dijksteel, Thomas, Finch.

BLACKBURN: Pears 7, Brittain 7, Hyam 7, Wharton 7, Pickering 7, Tronstad 6, Buckley 6 (Ayari, 72), Hedges 6 (Chrisene, 86), Szmodics 7, Sigurdsson 6 (Dolan, 66), Gallagher 6 (Telalovic, 88)

Subs not used: Wahlstedt, Koumetio, Garrett, Moran, Markanday

Man of the Match: Ayling. Another impressive display from the loanee, who is in form and has played key role in three successive clean sheets.