Match Report: Coventry City 0 Boro 0

Boro will head back to the Riverside Stadium honours even with Coventry City following a 0-0 draw in the play-off semi-final first leg.

Facing the same opposition from the final day of the regular season, Michael Carrick named an unchanged XI from the Bank Holiday Monday draw while also welcoming Dael Fry and Marcus Forss back to the matchday squad, both returning from injury.

In the pre-match build-up, much was made about contrasting styles between both sides; Boro were seen as the outfit who would dominate possession and remain patient whilst Coventry would utilise their pace in quick transitions.

That was exactly how the game panned out in the opening exchanges as the Teessiders enjoyed an assured start, keeping ahold of the ball with Cameron Archer and Chuba Akpom running the channels.

Boro’s precision passing carved out the first significant opening of the play-off semi-final. Isaiah Jones and Riley McGree linking up to play in Chuba Akpom, whose shot clipped the combination of post and crossbar.

The approach work from Carrick’s side was calm and controlled, Tommy Smith seeing a shot deflect behind for a corner with the hosts crowding their penalty box. From the set-piece, Paddy McNair peeled off at the back post, the effort though unable to be turned goalwards.

Against the run of play, Coventry did create a chance of their own from a corner at the other end, Liam Kelly nodding wide. And minutes later McNair was on-hand to block a long-distance drive from the Sky Blues captain.

Jones’ positive contributions were proving a handful for the home side. This time the winger burrowed his way into the area before enough Coventry bodies retreated to snuff out the danger.

As Boro continued to press, Akpom’s delightful pass resulted in Jones placing the ball home. Yet, the celebrations in the away end were curtailed by an early offside flag, raised for the tightest of calls.

It took a little over 60 seconds for Boro to make their mark on second-half proceedings, Akpom heading just wide of the upright after good work down the left.

Much of Coventry’s play came from hitting a direct ball to Victor Gyokeres, marshalled excellently by Paddy McNair throughout the 90 minutes, but Boro did well to pick up the second ball and then look to play out.

Callum Doyle and Gustavo Hamer tried their luck from outside the area, but neither could test Zack Steffen in the Boro goal.

With 20 minutes remaining of the first leg, Marcus Forss returned after three matches out, adding a different dynamic to the pace and tricky of Jones.

Understandably, the match became a cagey affair and a trio of Darragh Lenihan headers were needed to repel a sustained spell of Coventry pressure.

Four minutes of additional time came and went as the sides prepare to do it all again on Wednesday evening.