A goalless draw sees Boro Women's unbeaten run extended to 14 league games.
Michael Mulhern named two changes to the side that rallied to a 3-3 comeback against Barnsley Women's FC, with Faye Dale making her first start against her former side, and Daisy Burt coming in for her debut.
The opening minutes of the first half saw both sides struggle to get into their groove, while still creating half-chances at either end.
Boro's first major chance came from a corner with 15 minutes played, a flapping goalkeeper meant the ball dropped in the box leading to a scramble which saw multiple Boro shots blocked close to the goalline.
After her opposite number went into the book, Ellen Turnbull became more ruthless and direct, opening a chance to release a shot which the goalkeeper saved well.
The half-hour mark saw Jess Mett have her first big chance, which looked to be flying in until a brave Durham body sent it over the bar.
Turnbull became the focal point of many Boro attacks, creating a couple of chances for herself just before half-time that made the 'keeper work, but both sides went into the break still looking for a goal.
Boro's opening attack of the second half was again through Turnbull, who cut inside and unleashed a near post shot that was saved by the Durham number one.
Mulhern's side saw out a succession of Durham corners with goalkeeper Laura Wareham commanding her area well as Boro cleared their lines each time.
Turnbull turned creator next, providing a good chance for Dale, who couldn't work open any space in a crowded 18-yard box for a shot.
Wareham came into the fray once more, saving well from a tenacious shot after a Durham counter.
Burt defended well all game, keeping a tricky winger relatively quiet, while at the other end her back post cross almost beat the 'keeper on its own.
Boro piled on the pressure towards the end, and it was Turnbull again who provided another chance, the difference being this time Boro had it in the back of the net, but the rasing of the flag ruled our ant Boro celebrations as the goal was rules off for what was a debatably close offside.
After putting in a good shift against her former club, Dale made way for Nichole Havery for Boro's first change.
Mett then carved open Durham's defence using her physicality to give her room to fire a shot off that the Durham 'keeper had to save.
Havery's first chance came as she was slid in on goal, but with pressure from behind she could only force a save from the 'keeper.
Eve Marshall once again came on as a sub for Lauren Robson, hoping to make as much of an impact as she did against Barnsley. Her first set piece sent the goalkeeper flailing and the ball was dropped at the back post causing some panic, and forcing a second set piece.
The last action of the game was a Mett cross which fell perfectly at the back post but with no Boro shirt to meet it, the points were shared.
Middlesbrough: Wareham, Bell, Burt, Packham, Towers, Guy, Burn (c), Mett, Turnbull, Robson (Marshall 80'), Dale (Havery 73')
Unused subs: Cook, Maxwell, McCarthy, Foster, Harland
Durham Cestria: King, Knowles, Elliot, Clarke, Giles, Neuefeind, Donald, Mackie, Winter (Richardson 69'), Bell, Holmes
Unused subs: Mackain, Brown, Mysleyko