Battling Dons frustrate Boro

Wimbledon's Francis relished his tussle with Ince

FA Cup third round

Wimbledon 0-0 Middlesbrough

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First division side Wimbledon held the Premiership's Middlesbrough to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park.

In an evenly contested tie, neither team was prepared to give an inch as they fought for the right to face Manchester United in the fourth round.

Chances were scarce but both sides managed to rattle the woodwork as they attempted to force a goal.

I am proud of the players and the character we showed

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren

Kevin Cooper hit the Boro post with a long-range effort that eluded keeper Mark Crossley in the first half.

And with just six minutes left Gianluca Festa crashed a close range shot against the bar after the Dons failed to clear Paul Ince's corner.

Wimbledon had the better of the first half and first to threaten after seven minutes.

A mix-up between Paul Ince and Gianluca Festa allowed David Connolly to break from the inside-left channel into the Middlesbrough box.

The striker came back inside on to his right foot and his effort was deflected over as the Boro defence rushed to close him down.

Boro's first real threat came 11 minutes later when Franck Queudrue fired in a 20-yard effort after a poor defensive clearance that was deflected wide off Wimbledon's Darren Holloway.

I thought particularly in the first half we had the better of the game

Wimbledon boss Terry Burton

As Wimbledon continued to press Neil Shipperley missed a gilt-edged chance after 27 minutes.

Michael Hughes' cross was completely missed by the Boro defence and found Shipperley unmarked six-yards out at the back post.

But the former Nottingham Forest striker could only blaze the ball over the bar.

The first division side felt unlucky not to have a penalty when Jason Gavin made contact with Shipperley as he turned in the box.

But the referee was not interested.

Middlesbrough put on a better display in the second half but Kenny Cunningham was outstanding at the back for the Dons as they dealt with the threat.

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Wimbledon: Feuer, Holloway, Cunningham, Andersen, Hawkins, Ardley, Hughes, Francis, Cooper (McAnuff 77), Shipperley (Agyemang 83), Connolly. Subs not used: Heald, Willmott, Morgan.

Booked: Hughes

Middlesbrough: Crossley, Stockdale, Festa, Southgate, Queudrue, Gavin (Stamp 45), Ince, Mustoe, Greening, Ricard (Nemeth 84), Whelan (Windass 62). Subs not used: Beresford, Cooper.

Booked: Ince.

Att: 6,885

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).