The Teessiders started the match in very positive fashion, and came close to taking the lead after just seven minutes played, when David Strelec headed over the bar from close range following Morgan Whittaker’s excellent corner kick.
As the first half progressed, Southampton were repeatedly put under intense pressure, but Boro’s lack of clinical finishing continued to let the Saints off the hook. On the half-hour mark, Luke Ayling missed the target from a very promising position, while on the very next attack, a vital block from James Bree prevented Tommy Conway from edging the hosts in front.
Remarkably, Conway would go even closer to securing the lead for the Teessiders just three minutes later, after a perfectly-weighted pass by Riley McGree set the Scotland international up brilliantly, but his firm effort struck the post to the dismay of Kim Hellberg’s team.
At the interval, Middlesbrough will have been wondering how on earth they were not in front, as Daniel Peretz made two important saves to deny Conway and Matt Targett in the latter stages of the first half.
Half time couldn’t have come soon enough for Tonda Eckert’s men, with the visitors not even recording a single shot in the opening 45 minutes.
The opening stages of the second half were a cagier affair, with few notable opportunities created for either side.
From Southampton’s perspective, their play had at least improved, with Middlesbrough’s attacking threat nullified and finally a couple of shots of their own to give travelling Saints fans something to cheer.
With full time on the horizon, the Saints almost snatched a dramatic winner on two separate occasions inside the final 10 minutes.
Firstly, Taylor Harwood-Bellis saw his header from inside the box crash off the woodwork, before substitute Samuel Edozie dragged an effort narrowly wide of the post to the sheer relief of the Boro supporters.
Following the draw, it’s all to play for at St Mary’s in midweek – Middlesbrough are now unbeaten in their last five games, while Southampton have only lost once in their last 24 matches in all competitions.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Matt Targett (Middlesbrough)