Ishmael Miller's equaliser cancelled out Daniel Ayala's opener as Middlesbrough played out a 1-1 draw with Blackpool in the first half at the Riverside Stadium this evening.

Ayala gave the home side the lead when he sent a looping header beyond Blackpool keeper Joe Lewis on 19 minutes.

The visitors restored parity six minutes later when Miller got the final touch on a cross that was fizzed into the box.

Boro had goalkeeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos to thank for keeping it level when he denied Andrea Orlandi's deflected effort.

Emmanuel Ledesma then went close towards the end of the half when he hit a powerful effort that flew just wide of the post.

Moments later, it was Blackpool's turn to threaten the goal when David Perkins struck the post for the Seasiders.