"?Leicester picked up only their third away point of the season against Middlesbrough in what was a tepid goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium.
In a game severely lacking in quality and chances, the hosts were the most likely to find a winner, but Gaston Ramirez squandered his side's best chance late on.
The visitors edged proceedings in the early stages of the game and looked the more assured side, but there was a distinct lack of quality on show from the outset.
Powerful winger Adama Traore was proving Middlesbrough's most likely avenue of success down the right hand side, but neither side looking like creating a clear opportunity.
The combative, but ultimately lacklustre pattern of the game continued for the remainder of the first half. Other than a few half chances for Shinji Okazaki and Alvaro Negredo respectively, there were no notable attempts on goal in what what was a largely forgettable 45 minutes.
Leicester had a small period of pressure after the break as Andy King drilled in a dangerous cross from the byline that missed everyone, before blazing a shot from distance over moments later.
Other than that, the first 15 minutes of the second half had been just as turgid as the first. It was hard to imagine at times that this was a Leicester side that had won the Premier League last season. The hosts were, however, demonstrating why they boasted the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table.
Left-back George Friend cut onto his right foot after an excellent solo run as the game approached the 70 minute mark, but miscued his shot wildly over the bar. Soon after, Friend delivered a superb cross that midfielder Adam Clayton failed to meet with the goal at his mercy.
Middlesbrough attempted 26 crosses in the opening 70 minutes vs. Leicester.
They completed just 5. pic.twitter.com/zmlK4Mb293
Boro were looking the most likely to break the deadlock, but Robert Huth and Wes Morgan had defended resolutely to deny Negredo space.
The away side, without Jamie Vardy, seemed to have no one to pick out when attempting to counter attack, and as a result were finding themselves pinned back.
And it was Ramirez who had the best chance of the game with less than ten minutes remaining. The Uruguayan was gifted the ball in the Leicester box just seven yards out, but dragged his left footed shot just wide of the right hand post.
That proved to be the last chance of a game that certainly won't live long in the memory. Boro remain in 16th, while Leicester moved above Stoke into 14th with a rare away point.
TEAM NEWS | Here's how #Boro will line up to face @LCFC this afternoon. #UTB pic.twitter.com/zOKBki10OZ
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City starting XI: Schmeichel; Simpson, Huth, Morgan (c), Fuchs; King, Amartey, Mendy, Mahrez; Okazaki, Ulloa.? #MidLei pic.twitter.com/pdcuCqQZKy
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