Preston North End have headed into half time level with Middlesbrough following a goalless first half at Deepdale in their first Championship match since winning promotion back to the second tier.
The home side had a chance to open the scoring less than 10 minutes in as Paul Gallagher curled the ball in from a corner for Bailey Wright, but his header from close range went wide.
Grant Leadbitter tried to put the newly-promoted side under pressure down the other end, linking up with Kike before getting a shot away, but he could not force the keeper to make a save.
Middlesbrough continued to see more of the ball as the first half progressed, with George Friend attempting to get forward, while Tomas Kalas saw his crossed turned away.
On-loan striker Will Keane had a chance against the run of play for the home side when he attempted to fire the ball in from a Gallagher cross, but Friend was on the line to make the clearance.
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos had to be alert in the Boro goal soon afterwards as Preston continued to grow in confidence, but the keeper denied Joe Garner to keep the sides level at the interval.
Sian Cowper
