Big Sam's Rovers' run continues.

MIDDLESBROUGH 0

BLACKBURN 0

SAM Allardyce's unbeaten run at Blackburn remains intact after another battling display in this stalemate at Middlesbrough.

The Rovers boss extended his promising sequence of results to eight without defeat, six in the Barclays Premier League, to take a 10th point from a possible 18.

It might have been even better for the visitors, who created the better chances in a tight game and saw Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones deny Roque Santa Cruz and substitutes Tugay, Jason Roberts and David Dunn - while midfielder Vince Grella volleyed just wide before the break.

The sides lying in 18th and 17th places respectively ran out knowing 10-man Stoke had already beaten big spending Manchester City.

Of the two, it was Blackburn who appeared the more determined to address the situation.

The Teessiders managed only one effort of note in the opening 45 minutes.

England winger Stewart Downing, lining up on the right rather than left, sent a raking 34th-minute pass into the path of understudy Johnson - and then looked on as he smashed a left-foot shot just wide with the help of a deflection.

Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson did not, however, have a meaningful save to make - unlike opposite number Jones.

The Australian had to get down well to collect Keith Andrews' 20th-minute shot, and was then forced to make an unorthodox save with his foot as Santa Cruz sent in a wickedly swerving drive four minutes before the break.

Jones and his team-mates heaved a huge sigh of relief when Grella volleyed inches wide of the post, with no one in any position to keep the ball out.

After the break Tuncay Sanli was only just prevented from reaching home debutant Marlon King's knockdown by Christopher Samba and then teenage midfielder Josh Walker could not get past Ryan Nelsen's block.

Boro went close again from a 54th-minute corner when, with Tuncay and Samba both off the pitch receiving treatment, Riggott glanced Downing's nearpost corner just over.

Boro took the game to Rovers, and Allardyce responded by replacing striker Benny McCarthy with Jason Roberts.

But it was Grella who might have given his side a 75thminute lead, had it not been for a brave block by Walker.