There was nothing to separate Boro and opponents Coventry City in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Chuba Akpom went closest to breaking the deadlock when his first-half effort was turned onto the crossbar by Sky Blues keeper Ben Wilson.
Coventry: Wilson, McNally, McFadzean, Doyle, Norton-Cuffy, Eccles (Allen 66'), Kelly, Hamer, Bidwell, Gyökeres, Godden
Subs: Moore, Panzo, Allen, Wilson-Esbrand, Sheaf, Maguire, Dabo
Middlesbrough: Steffen, Smith, McNair, Lenihan, Giles, Hackney, Mowatt, Jones (Forss 68'), Akpom, McGree, Archer (Crooks 83')
Subs: Fry, Barlaser, Dijksteel, Forss, Roberts, Crooks, Bola