Middlesbrough held by struggling Leicester to slow down promotion push

Middlesbrough slipped to a third straight Sky Bet Championship match without a win after drawing 1-1 with Leicester at the Riverside.

In his second game in charge of the struggling Foxes, Gary Rowett’s side took the lead when Caleb Okoli nodded home from a free-kick, but the hosts levelled on the stroke of half-time through Riley McGree.

A draw means second-placed Boro stay two points behind leaders Coventry, who are in action on Wednesday night, while relegation-threatened Leicester claim back-to-back league draws.

Matt Targett’s curling free-kick was palmed away by Asmir Begovic early on and Boro piled pressure around the Foxes’ box, having a good opportunity when Tommy Conway was played down the left with his attempt bundled behind by Okoli.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid led a sudden charge for the Foxes, forcing Callum Brittain to poke away his cross into the area.

Leicester then went ahead 18 minutes in after winning a free-kick on the right, which was whipped into the six-yard area by Divine Mukasa for Okoli and the defender’s header bounced underneath the diving Sol Brynn.

Conway burst down the left but no one could meet his low pass across the area and Boro found themselves frustrated further as Leicester enjoyed a spell of control.

Conway had a low strike feathered wide of the post by Luke Thomas and Leicester looked to threaten when De Cordova-Reid’s free-kick bounced into the wall, with the rebound fired into the hands of Brynn by Harry Winks.

Boro then equalised in the second minute of first-half stoppage time after latching onto a stray pass. Conway cut the ball back to McGree, who fired a low shot past Begovic.

Leicester almost struck just minutes into the second half when Luke Ayling was unable to clear a delivery lofted upfield and headed the ball up towards goal, where Patson Daka surged forward into a one-on-one with Brynn but could only nod past the post.

Boro were forced to clear their lines as the Foxes threatened and a quick free-kick played Oliver Skipp down the left, where his cross was smashed behind by Adilson Malanda.

The hosts showed flashes of promise going forward but struggled to faze Leicester, who had opportunities of their own when Winks’ deep corner delivery towards the mouth of goal was punched clear by Brynn and Abdul Fatawu’s cross from the right curled around the far post.

Kim Hellberg’s side continued to push when Brittain’s low cross to David Strelec was stabbed wide at the near post and McGree fired past the upright before having a header blocked.

Begovic made two saves to deny McGree and Brittain in the 84th minute and Jordan Ayew then had a shot comfortably claimed by Brynn.

In additional time, McGree had another shot blocked and Thomas’ effort was held by Brynn as the spoils were shared.