Bournemouth, Middlesbrough play out draw at Dean Court

Bournemouth and Middlesbrough have played out a goalless draw in their Championship clash at Dean Court.

The home side settled into an early rhythm and Andrew Surman almost released Lewis Grabban down the middle, but his through-ball was just too powerful for the striker to control.

The Cherries continued to dominate and could have taken the lead when Ian Harte lifted a free kick into the area and George Friend's attempted headed clearance landed just over his own bar.

Middlesbrough threatened just before the break when a cross from Albert Adomah came in from the right, but Lee Tomlin could only lift his effort over the crossbar.

After the break, Eddie Howe's side came within inches of taking the lead, as Matt Ritchie fired a low effort into the area which clattered the post and bounced clear.

The hosts were doing all the pressing, as Harry Arter found Surman on the edge of the area and the midfielder fired at goal, but his effort went just wide of the post.

Simon Francis became the latest Bournemouth player to just miss out as he fired an effort from 25 yards out, but Dimitrios Konstantopoulos managed to get a hand to the ball to parry it over the bar.

Konstantopoulos earned his side a point when he made one final good save to deny Surman, whose shot looked to be creeping into the net but the keeper was there to make the one-handed stop.