Middlesbrough and Southampton played out a goalless draw to leave their Championship play-off semi-final finely poised at the midway point. Boro dominated the majority of the first leg at the Riverside Stadium but, for all their energy and creativity, they could not find the breakthrough.
Southampton, comfortably second best for long spells, grew into the contest after the interval and had some big opportunities late on, only to be denied themselves. Just like the other tie between Millwall and Hull, the semi-final heads into the second leg exactly as it began - all square.
Pre-match overtaken by 'Spygate 2' allegations
The build-up to the first leg was dominated by the 'SpyGate 2' allegations, after Southampton were charged with a breach of EFL regulations following claims that a member of staff had spied on Boro's training ahead of the play-off tie. Kim Hellberg was not pulling any punches when the subject was put to him before kick-off.