Key moments

32m ago Full time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton
41m ago Southampton strike the bar!
1h ago Second half underway
2h ago Half-time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton
2h ago Middlesbrough hit the post!
2h ago Kick-off
3h ago EFL charges Southampton over spying controversy
3h ago Team news: Hackney sidelined by injury
3h ago Preview

Thanks for following along with our live coverage. Here's Louise Taylor's comprehensive match report from the Riverside Stadium:

"It doesn't sit well, it really doesn't," remarks a frustrated Kim Hellberg regarding the 'spygate' issue. "I do feel for Southampton's supporters and squad - they've done nothing improper. But such conduct isn't acceptable overall."

Post-match, Tonda Eckert sidesteps spying queries about the reported observation at Middlesbrough's training facility earlier this week.

"No concern on my end," he states when questioned on Southampton's response to the EFL misconduct charge, emphasizing preparation for Tuesday's return fixture.

Upcoming playoff fixtures in the next days and weeks (all times BST):

Monday 8pm: Millwall (0) v Hull (0)
Tuesday 8pm: Southampton (0) v Middlesbrough (0)
Saturday 23rd: Playoff final, Wembley

Kim Hellberg dutifully joins Boro supporters' chants at the whistle but appears deep in thought. His side dominated with 17 first-half efforts to Southampton's zero, yet showed fragility under late pressure.

Tonda Eckert beams contentedly while clapping the away fans, some of whom mimic binoculars in jest. Southampton stuck to their strategy effectively, surviving Middlesbrough's first-half barrage - including Tommy Conway's post hit - and grew bolder post-interval, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis striking the bar.

The decisive battle awaits at St Mary's on Tuesday.

90+4 min: Manning's delivery lacks precision.

90+3 min: Jander earns a free-kick in promising position for Southampton. Manning prepares to swing it in, echoing his earlier effort that saw Harwood-Bellis hit the woodwork.

90+2 min: Targett carves out room inside the area but his left-foot cross sails harmlessly out for a goal-kick.

90+1 min: Morris whips a cross toward the Southampton goal, but Peretz claims it confidently.

90 min: Three minutes of stoppage time signaled at the Riverside.

89 min: Home supporters avert their eyes as Southampton mount sustained pressure, seeking an away advantage.

87 min: Golden opportunity for Saints! Charles sparks a swift break with deft control, releasing Stewart down the flank. He spots substitute Edozie bursting centrally; the finish drifts narrowly past the far upright.

Southampton strike the bar!

85 min: Manning curls in the free-kick left-footed. Harwood-Bellis rises highest, powering a header against the crossbar. Fry nods away for Boro, but the hosts remain under siege.

84 min: Azaz links with Bree; Matsuki lofts to the far post, but Stewart tracks back as Middlesbrough clear. Boro earn a set-piece that Manning or Scienza will aim into the danger zone.

82 min: Southampton patiently work the ball in their defensive third. They've seized control now, heightening tension among the home crowd.

80 min: Browne tumbles in the Saints box after Charles' challenge. Minimal contact, exaggerated fall. Targett's corner cleared by Stewart, who's been quiet offensively.

78 min: Further Boro subs: Sarmiento on for Whittaker, Castledine for Strelec.

76 min: Atmosphere turns edgy at the Riverside following Southampton's probing. Second half feels transformed, though Boro threaten on transitions.

Referee collides with a Boro forward amid one such move...

74 min: Southampton force a corner via Targett; Scienza floats it over. Cleared initially, but Targett aids the second delivery out for a throw.

72 min: Manning overcooks another cross. Azaz gathers for Boro, turns inside, but his effort is comfortably held by Brynn.

Manning seeks Scienza centrally, only for Morris to intercept.

70 min: Double changes: Browne for McGree (Boro); Charles and Matsuki for Downes and Fellows (Saints).

Charles wastes no time, lashing a half-volley wide from distance.

68 min: Scienza feints past Manning's overlap, drives inward, but blocked. Byline cutback would've suited Manning perfectly.

66 min: Fellows miskicks a clearance straight to Conway on the Saints' edge. One-two attempted with Brittain fails; Azaz concedes goal-kick.

64 min: Fellows probes Boro's backline from the left, but Brittain heads clear.

62 min: Scienza threads into the area, cleared urgently by Boro. He retries, slicing inside to curl over.

60 min: Larin withdrawn; Ross Stewart enters. Limited service beyond an early second-half cross.

59 min: Scienza ventures forward rarely, laying off for an edge-of-box strike blocked by Ayling. Downes fouls Whittaker on counter, yellow card shown.

57 min: Brittain's inviting cross met by Strelec's deflection. Penalty shouts as it strikes a Saints defender - Harwood-Bellis' thigh.

55 min: Morris catches Larin painfully advancing; Saints forward clips ankles, earning yellow.

53 min: Boro respond sharply to Targett cutback, corner conceded. Short taken, McGree's near-post nod cleared for goal-kick.

51 min: Larin misses a sitter! Saints trap sprung wide; Fellows' stepover and cross finds unmarked Larin at far post - header into side-netting.

49 min: Manning's low drive across goal almost sneaks through; Ayling pokes to Brynn. Saints already sharper than entire first half.

47 min: Manning composes himself for throw deep in Boro territory.

Second half kicks off

Southampton restart, promptly advancing into uncharted Boro areas.

"Unbelievable we're level," posts Boro follower Vic Rushton. "Conway deserved a treble. Saints can't be this passive post-break. Anxiety mounting as time ticks."

Southampton's disciplined setup screams intentional draw. Still, attacking poverty evident - zero shots.

Interval diversion: League One playoffs begin today with Stevenage v Stockport at 3pm. Dominic Booth previews Stockport's buildup...

Half-time: Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton

Utterly one-way first period. Boro monopolized possession and chances (17-0 shots), yet Saints resolute. Managers content paradoxically.

45+2 min: Wood gifts corner; Ayling's near-post header wide.

45+1 min: Whittaker corner repelled by Saints.

45 min: Whittaker's deflected strike sails high; two minutes added.

44 min: Ayling targets McGree far post - offside halts it. Saints desperate for break.