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Middlesbrough still hold a six-point buffer to third-placed Millwall Middlesbrough missed the chance to close the gap on Championship leaders Coventry as they were held to a goalless draw by relegation-threatened Oxford United. Despite finding themselves at opposite ends of the table, the visitors could have been in front at the break after they twice hit the frame of the goal. Boro improved after the interval and created a host of chances, but could not find a breakthrough. The result means Kim Hellberg's side now trail the Sky Blues by three points, with a six-point cushion over Millwall in third. Meanwhile, Oxford close the gap to the safety line to five points. Boro, reeling from Monday's disappointing defeat at Coventry, made a slow start and were almost behind when Stanley Mills rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort from distance following a surging run. The hosts were let off the hook again in first-half stoppage time when Myles Peart-Harris pounced on a knockdown inside the six-yard box, only to see his effort rebound off the post. At the other end, Jamie Cumming made comfortable saves to deny David Strelec and Matt Targett in a lacklustre first 45 minutes for Kim Hellberg's promotion-chasers. Boro went through the gears and registered a glut of chances in a dominant second half. Hayden Hackney, Tommy Conway and Morgan Whittaker all tried their luck, but were denied by a mixture of poor finishing and some good goalkeeping by Cumming. The Oxford stopper made a point-blank save to deny Conway for a second time as the hosts piled on the pressure, but his heroics were almost undone by his own team-mate when Christ Makosso misjudged a header back towards his own goal which went just past the post. Callum Brittain was the next player to be denied after several U's defenders put their bodies on the line to block his shot and earn their side a well-deserved point on the road. Middlesbrough host another relegation-threatened side in Leicester City on Tuesday, while Oxford travel to Stoke. Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg told BBC Radio Tees: "We knew that was going to be the game. If we score early, it could open up a little bit. We didn't, they had some chances in the first half, they could have scored. "We had some chances through the game, especially in the second half. "At the end it's 0-0, there's no goal, you have to take the point and move on. "This is the part when you play against these teams when they defend with their heart all the time. "We should have scored, that's how it is, but we didn't. It's one point to add to the tally and we keep moving on. " This video can not be played Hellberg: 'It wasn't our day' v Oxford United Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield told BBC Radio Oxford: "I thought we were better today than at Coventry. It's similar, but different. I thought we were excellent first half, had the two best chances of the half. "I'll be honest with you, at Coventry I was grateful for the point. Today, I was a bit disappointed that we haven't got ourselves ahead [by] one, maybe even two, in the game. "I think Middlesbrough are as good as it gets in the league. They are brilliant, the way they move the ball, some of the players they have got are fantastic. They are going to have spells of chances and we had to maybe ride our luck at times. "I'm actually thinking that was a different performance to Coventry because we imposed ourselves on the game today, especially in the first half. "That's two good performances in a row and two good performances where we can go after more. " This video can not be played Wasn't At The Game (21/02/2026) After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 21st February 2026 at 17: 00 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Kim Hellberg Formation: 4 - 2 - 2 - 2 Manager: Matt Bloomfield Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Kim Hellberg Formation: 4 - 2 - 2 - 2 Manager: Matt Bloomfield Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last 11 league games against Oxford (W8 D3), with their last defeat against them coming in February 1990 (1-3) under Bruce Rioch. Oxford have lost 11 of their 14 away league matches against Middlesbrough (W2 D1), scoring just nine goals across the 14 matches (0. 6 per game). Middlesbrough have won their last three home league matches without conceding a goal – they last won and kept a clean sheet in four straight league games at the Riverside between April and September 2018 (5), under Tony Pulis. Only Sheffield Wednesday (1) have scored fewer Championship goals in 2026 than Oxford (4). However, all four of those have been netted in away games, only failing to score in one of their four matches on the road since the turn of the year. Middlesbrough are the only side yet to drop a point from a winning position in the Championship this season, going on to win all 18 games when taking the lead. Match ends, Middlesbrough 0, Oxford United 0. Second Half ends, Middlesbrough 0, Oxford United 0. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Cameron Brannagan. Attempt blocked. Riley Mc Gree (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Hayden Hackney. Attempt missed. Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Dael Fry following a set piece situation. Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Ole Romenij (Oxford United). Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time. Corner, Oxford United. Conceded by Adilson Malanda. Substitution, Oxford United. Michal Helik replaces Will Lankshear. Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Foul by Alex Gilbert (Middlesbrough). Jamie Donley (Oxford United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Attempt blocked. Riley Mc Gree (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tommy Conway. Substitution, Middlesbrough. Alan Browne replaces Morgan Whittaker. Attempt missed. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Callum Brittain with a cross. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Ciaron Brown. Attempt blocked. Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Hayden Hackney. Offside, Middlesbrough. Hayden Hackney is caught offside. Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Aidomo Emakhu. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.