Middlesbrough were held to a goalless draw by Bristol City at a freezing Riverside. The snow came down on Teesside today and Boro’s forwards froze in the crucial moments unable to break the deadlock. Mind you we did have to play the last half hour with ten men after the softest red card ever awarded to midfield terrier Barry Robson. Not the home debut he had in mind.

Bristol City will feel pretty chuffed with themselves keeping a clean sheet four days after caving in to a SIX goal avalanche at home to Cardiff City. Then again you would not have thought they had a numerical advantage for so much of this match as Boro had nearly all the possession and carved out nearly all the openings right up to the finish.

It wasn’t a great game played out in front of a tiny crowd probably actually somewhere near the 12 000 mark. Clearly many had stayed at home, put off by the snow. It’s not like the old days is it? The world’s gone soft. A bit like football with referees like that. In a season where Gallas can go over the top for a potential leg breaker and not even be penalised Barry Robson was sent from the field for two of the most innocuous of challenges. Such a shame as well. For while the first half was as dull as slush the second suddenly opened out and there was room for players like Flood, O’Neil and Johnson to run at players. Barry Robson was getting stuck in and enjoying a good first home game. Unfortunately the officious whistle blower was on his case from the start and two yellows later he was clearly trying to ruin whatever chance we had of a good game.

Good to see despite the loan signing of Stephen McManus Strachan showing loyalty to Grounds and Wheater who once again were an outstanding centre back pairing. Danny Coyne’s handling was impeccable and the Robins rarely looked likely to fashion a clear opening.

In the first period Justin Hoyte was the main out ball. Running at speed he was showed the outside time and again but his lack of left foot meant there was never really a final product. Willo (fast becoming a crowd favourite) and O’Neil showed plenty of non stop industry but there was lack of cutting edge from Killen and Lita all afternoon. The big NewZealander plays well with his back to goal but his finishing was every bit as poor as the half time penalty takers in blue. Had that school’s players actually taken penalties before? They looked like they were straight out of Gregory’s Girl.

Anyway, the second half started in far more promising fashion yet a goal seemed as far away as a summer’s afternoon. But on a positive note we responded well after the second yellow card shown to Robson. We pushed Bristol back but even after Franks came on there was few chances created and even fewer shots on target.

We could and should have won the game in the final minutes. Firstly Chris Killen’s blushes were spared when he was given offside after spooning the ball over the bar from about five yards out. There was no linesman’s flag when he headed over after Wheater had nodded a corner into his path. Wheater was next to miss a sitter, peeling of his marker and throwing himself into the path of another later corner but getting under the ball and skying it over the bar.

Then with 4 minutes added time almost used up Chris Killen turned on the ball at the edge of the box chipping the keeper but also the bar.

So, we failed to capitalise on the midweek win and we had the late chances as well. At least we are unbeaten from the 3 games in 8 days. It also shows just how desperate is our need to bring in at least one striker on Monday. Either Scott Macdonald or Leon Best would be welcomed with open arms. In actual fact we could really do with the pair of them but with crowds like this where are we going to find the money. The vicious circle of footballing life.

Final Score: Boro 0-0 Bristol City

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