A clean sheet and a point at newly-relegated Middlesbrough was the reward for a hard-working performance in the Championship opener.

Going one better than at the same stage last season, Kevin Blackwell's side matched Boro for long periods in the clash shown live on Sky Sports.

Keith Treacy and Stephen Quinn went close for the Blades, whilst Mark Bunn was forced into just one save in his first appearance.

Manager Blackwell handed debuts to four players, goalkeeper Bunn, France, Taylor and loanee Treacy, whilst Walker, recently back at the club on loan from Spurs, and striker Henderson also started. Newboys Evans, Reid and Little had to be content with places on the seven-strong bench.

Boro also gave a debut to a goalkeeper, the experienced Coyne, whilst ex-Blades target Lita was amongst the substitutes in Southgate's much-changed squad.

The Blades emerged from the Riverside tunnel wearing a third-choice black kit with the other two, presumably, too similar to Middlesbrough's red and white, whilst there was a heartfelt minute's applause before kick-off to remember Sir Bobby Robson, who passed away recently.

Boro, playing their first game in the second tier since May 1998, were soon on the back foot, having to defend a throw and a corner in the opening two minutes, whilst Coyne was forced into an early save when Treacy's volley came through a throng of bodies.

It quickly became apparent that Henderson was alone in attack and Treacy and France - the wide midfielders - were interchangeable.

Bunn's first test was to gather in a cross-cum-shot from Emnes and then he had to rush out to clear a short Walker backpass. The loan goalkeeper was also involved in the next attacking move, delivering a deep free-kick which Henderson knocked down but Quinn fired wide of the near post on 13 minutes.

United caused more problems from another France set-piece on 20 minutes but attempted headers from Morgan and Kilgallon, sandwiched between Quinn and Howard shots, were scrambled clear. There was a nervous moment at the other end when Morgan and Bunn almost got their wires crossed but the latter recovered to push a Yeates shot around the post soon after.

The attacking opportunities - and efforts on goal - were pretty evenly split in the first half hour and it was a case of more of the same as half-time approached.

Henderson's hold-up skills were clear as he set-up a chance for Quinn, which was pushed away by Coyne, and then, from a corner, Kilgallon's fluffed overhead kick did present a half-chance for France but Boro again cleared. For the home side, Johnson's cross was punched away by Bunn and Walker beat Emnes in an aerial battle at the back post.

The injured Digard was replaced just before the interval and both managers would have been relatively happy when the half-time whistle was blown.

The first serious action of the second period, five minutes in, was an appeal for penalty when Johnson went down under Walker's challenge following a Huth through ball but referee Mason was not convinced. After Quinn gave away possession, Williams fired wide under pressure from Taylor and Montgomery was forced to clear a cross from the dangerous Johnson as Boro looked to get on top.

Blackwell's response was to use his first substitution of the night, introducing the pace of Cotterill, whilst soon after both managers threw on fresh strikers - Lita for Boro and Evans for the Blades.

Midway through the half, despite Montgomery working tirelessly, United were struggling to see a lot of possession, although Quinn curled wide when a decent shooting chance presented itself.

Tired legs dictated the game opened up slightly in the final 15 minutes and the home side appealed for another spot-kick when Lita was caught between Morgan and Montgomery.

McMahon fired over and Morgan headed away a Yeates cross as the home side pressed in the last five minutes, whilst the other end saw a France run almost present a chance.

Just two minutes of added time was announced and a Cotterill run and cross almost put in the tiring Henderson but neither side could work another notable chance before referee Mason's final whistle.

Boro: Coyne, Yeates, Digard (O'Neil 42), Aliadiere, Emnes (Lita 65), Huth, Johnson, Grounds, Williams, McMahon, Wheater.
Unused: Hoyte, Taylor, Arca, Franks, Steele.

Blades: Bunn, France, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Taylor, Howard (Evans 68), Treacy (Cotterill 63), Quinn, Walker.
Unused: Reid, Bennett, Bromby, Sharp, Little.