Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough go into the half-time break with the score at 0-0 following a low-key opening 45 minutes.
Alan Judge's 12th-minute free kick was tipped over the bar by Jason Steele before Judge wasted another good chance just after the half-hour mark.
The best chance of the half fell to Jordan Rhodes, whose downward header was tipped wide by a sprawling Steele.
Middlesbrough struggled to get a foothold in the opening period, with their only chance falling to Jonathan Woodgate, who headed wide from Grant Leadbitter's free kick.
