Middlesbrough survived a nervy second half to earn a goalless draw against Stoke that extended their unbeaten start to life at the top of the Championship.

Having failed to register a shot on target in the first half, second-placed Stoke created numerous opportunities after the restart to threaten an away win.

But Boro stayed cool to preserve a point and remain four points clear without losing any of Rob Edwards' opening eight matches in charge.

Stoke, despite winning only one of their previous four matches, wanted to stay in touch with the leaders and boss Mark Robins' approach was to make five changes at the Riverside.

And Stoke were still in the game at half-time having survived the best chances of the opening period when goalkeeper Viktor Johansson made a couple of strong saves.

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