Last updated on .From the section Championship

Karlan Grant headed a first-half chance over for Huddersfield

Huddersfield Town missed the chance to climb out of the Championship relegation zone as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Middlesbrough.

The home side threatened with Adama Diakhaby, who curled a free-kick narrowly wide from 25 yards, and Karlan Grant's header that went just over the bar.

Britt Assombalonga had the visitors' clearest sight of goal but he was denied by a last-ditch tackle by Jaden Brown.

The result gave a clean sheet to goalkeepers Ryan Schofield for Huddersfield and Boro's Aynsley Pears, who were both making their league debuts.

A draw extends Huddersfield's revival since Danny and Nicky Cowley took charge - they have now gone five matches unbeaten with this the third draw of that run - but remain a point inside the bottom three.

Chances were thin on the ground but the Terriers went close through Diakhaby's left-footed set-piece shortly before half-time and a shot from Grant at close-range that was well blocked.

Middlesbrough picked up just a third point on their travels this season and are now six games without a win - with only two draws among those results.

Ash Fletcher almost scrambled them a second-half goal as Huddersfield failed to clear a free-kick but could only scoop his effort over the bar.

Huddersfield boss Danny Cowley told BBC Radio Leeds:

"I think the performance could have been better. We always try to look for the positives first and we say that if you don't play well then don't lose.

"I didn't think we were able to break their press and as a consequence they forced us to go long, where they had five men.

"We wanted to try and draw their outside centre-halves to the ball and then get in behind but we weren't able to execute that. We were too slow in the build-up and middle phase.

"I thought Ryan Schofield did fantastically well on his debut. We've had quite a lot of sickness in the group so it's not been the easiest."

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:

"The performance was really good. We dominated, had the best chances in the game and should be going home with three points.

"Aynsley Pears did very well on his debut, calm and assured, he didn't have much to do but they are always risky times for a goalkeeper and I was really pleased with him.

"Britt Assombalonga had played every single game and needed a break, when he came on he almost found the winner."