Leeds Utd 0 Middlesbrough 0: Jordan Rhodes blocked in attempt to defeat United

The Middlesbrough striker, normally so deadly against Leeds, had two golden chances to settle a tight all-Yorkshire affair.

However, the clinical streak that has characterised Rhodes’s career since first making his name at Huddersfield Town eluded the striker on both occasions to ensure the winless run for Aitor Karanka’s men was stretched to five games.

Boro being held was good news for Hull City, who remain on top of the Championship ahead of tonight’s home clash with Brighton, and Sheffield Wednesday.

It could, though, have been even better for the promotion-chasing duo with only two fine saves from Dimi Konstantopoulos denying Souleymane Doukara in the second half.

A fourth straight win at home to Boro may have eluded Leeds, but they could at least take satisfaction from a spirited display against the backdrop of more supporter unrest.

The annual Valentine’s Fair is back at Elland Road, but there was precious little love for Cellino to be found in LS11. Instead, the Italian – believed to be watching the game in his home country – was left in no doubt as to what the locals think of his antics as United owner.

The £2,600 stunt, paid for via a crowd-funding initiative, saw slogans such as ‘We were here before you and still will be after you have gone’ beamed on to the side of the East Stand.

For all the innovative thinking behind last night’s protest, a more traditional gauge as to when a regime has turned sour can be found 100 yards or so from Elland Road on the entrance to the subway that runs under the M621.

Starting with Jimmy Adamson back in the early Eighties, all manner of key United figures have had their name scrawled on this wall accompanied by the word ‘Out!’

That ‘honour’ has now been bestowed on Cellino, his name crudely plastered over that of Ken Bates next to the subway that carries thousands of fans to Elland Road every week.

Amid the rancour and disgruntlement off the field, last night’s match was a decent affair.

Both sides had spells on top, with Leeds going closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half as Ritchie De Laet headed against his own crossbar when attempting to deal with Charlie’s Taylor corner.

A sweeping United move on five minutes ended with Doukara crossing for Mirco Antenucci whose shot was bravely blocked by Boro defender Ben Gibson, later sent off for two yellow cards.

Doukara too went close with a smart shot on the turn that flew just over the crossbar as Dimi Konstantopoulos tried to get back.

Boro also went close in those opening 45 minutes, Gaston Ramirez – the Uruguayan who spent last season on loan at Hull City – having a shot cleared off the line by Giuseppe Bellusci.

Ramirez also created an opening for Christian Stuani, but his side-footed shot was straight at Marco Silvestri.

The second half was a slow-burner compared to the opening 45 minutes, it taking until the hour mark for the first chance when Stewart Downing picked out Ramirez and his header was cleared by Bellusci.

After that, though, there were chances aplenty as Stuani spurned two excellent opportunities in quick succession.

First, he was picked out unmarked by De Laet but his volley was scuffed straight into the pitch and the ball bounced over the crossbar. Then, after again being found by an incisive delivery, from Downing, he headed wide of the target.

It was a let-off and one upon which Leeds almost capitalised 19 minutes from time when Taylor’s free-kick was flicked goalwards by Doukara and Konstantopoulos pulled off a stunning save.

Boro’s response was to race up the other end and Rhodes, with five goals against Leeds in his previous four outings before last night, should have done better when through on goal than fire a shot that left Silvestri with a routine save. A fine tackle from Taylor then denied Albert Adomah as the substitute looked to have fashioned an opening for himself with a strong run.

As play continued to rage from one end to the other, Alex Mowatt had a shot turned behind for a corner.

Back came Boro as Adomah rode a desperate challenge from Taylor before crossing for Rhodes to head wide from just three yards out.

Such a glaring miss drew hoots of derision from the home fans in the 20,424 crowd and the striker’s profligacy was almost punished in stoppage time when Doukara was played clear only to again be denied by Konstantopoulos.

Leeds United: Silvestri; Wootton, Bellusci, Cooper, Taylor; Diagouraga (Murphy 90), Bridcutt; Dallas (Mowatt 71), Cook, Antenucci (Erwin 79); Doukara. Unused substitutes: Bamba, Adeyemi, Coyle, Peacock-Farrell.

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos; Nsue, Fry, Gibson, De Laet; Leadbitter, Clayton; Stuani (Nugent 66), Ramirez (66), Downing; Rhodes (Kalas 89). Unused substitutes: De Pena, De Sart, Agazzi, Forshaw.

Referee: C Pawson (South Yorkshire).