Middlesbrough are level with Watford at half time in their Championship encounter at Vicarage Road.

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Boro, who started the game just inside the top half of the table, began brightly in the opening stages.

Both Grant Leadbitter and Emanuel Ledesma tried their luck from distance, but did not really test Jonathan Bond.

Bond, deputising for the injuries Manuel Almunia, was on hand to keep out Albert Adomah's effort, which had seemed destined for the bottom corner of the net.

Watford tried to settle into the game, but their only response came through Sean Murray and Fernando Forestieri, but neither could beat Shay Given.

Middlesbrough continued to enjoy the better of the game only to see their recent profligacy in front of goal continue, as Danny Graham blasted his effort over the bar when in a good position.

Their best chance came when Leadbitter's through-ball reached Jonathan Woodgate, and the defender put the ball in the back of the net, only to be flagged offside.

Forestieri tried to put the hosts ahead in first-half stoppage time when his attempt drifted just wide of Given's goal.