Having played out a tight 1-1 draw on the final day of the campaign just last week, the Sky Blues and the Teessiders squared off once more in the first leg of their two-game tie as they looked to move one step closer to the Premier League.
After securing a top-six spot with three games to spare, Boro had failed to win any of those games and came into the clash on the back of just two victories in their last eight fixtures.
However, any worries of a poor start from the visitors were put to bed almost immediately as they flew out of the blocks, and they were inches away from taking an early lead when Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom saw his deflected effort come back off the crossbar.
Isaiah Jones then thought he had broken the deadlock as Michael Carrick’s team continued to dominate the first half, but his well-taken effort was ruled out for offside.
Coventry, meanwhile, managed less than 40% possession in the opening 45 minutes and could only carve out one chance, a Liam Kelly header that went wide of the post.
Coventry had only lost once to Middlesbrough at home since 2006 prior to kick-off and improved significantly after the interval, as Callum Doyle’s fierce drive went narrowly over the bar.
Gustavo Hamer, in particular, caused Carrick’s outfit problems following the restart and, looking to add to his seven goal involvements in his last five games, threatened with a long-range strike that was well blocked by Luke McNally.
Since taking the reins, former Manchester United midfielder Carrick has turned Middlesbrough into the top-scoring side in the league. However, in the second period, they struggled to pose any kind of threat to the Coventry defence.
In the end, though, neither side could find the back of the net, leaving the two teams on level terms as they prepare to meet once more at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Gustavo Hamer (Coventry)
