THERE was nothing to split Middlesbrough and Southampton in their Championship play-off semi-final first leg.
Headlines were made in the lead up to the clash as the Saints were accused of spying on their opponents.
Middlesbrough accused Southampton of spying on their training session on Thursday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
There was nothing to split the sides in their play-off semi-final first leg Credit: Getty
Despite their supposed spying, in which a member of staff was reportedly on Thursday, Tonda Eckert’s side did not have a shot in the first half.
The Teesiders dominated the first period and came agonisingly close to scoring as young striker Tommy Conway struck the inside of the post on the 35 minute mark.
Five minutes later Conway had Saints keeper Daniel Peretz sprawling to keep him out from close range.
The teams returned to play out a cagey second half, which produced just one shot on target.
After a tame display in the first 45, Southampton took more of a hold as they boasted much more possession than their lowly 24 per cent in the opening half.
The FA Cup semi-finalists looked more likely to snatch victory in the closing stages of the clash, as Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ close-range header rattled the crossbar after Ryan Manning’s delivery in the 85th minute.
Saints came close again two minutes later as Ross Stewart clipped it into the area for Samuel Edozie, who rolled his finish towards the far corner just wide of the post.
However it seems the main headlines surrounding the clash were made before the game after Southampton’s supposed Marcelo Bielsa-style spying.
Fans made fun of the spying in the stands Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Middlesbrough complained to the FA following the incident Credit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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