Daryl Murphy marked his debut for Town with a goal after just 22 seconds but it wasn't enough to give Blues the three points.

The Republic of Ireland international got on the end of fellow new loan arrival David Healy's cross to register the fastest goal of the season at Portman Road.

Boro rallied in the second-half though and David Wheater headed in on the hour to give his side a point.

Murphy's goal was his first since scoring for Sunderland against Wigan in February 2008, a run of 45 games but he spent much of that time on the left flank.

Roy Keane has indicated that he will use the 26-year-old in a central role and he was in the right place to poke Healy's cross past Danny Coyne from eight yards.

Jon Walters tested Coyne from the edge of the box soon after before Boro's first effort at goal, skipper Gary O'Neil's drive blocked by Damien Delaney.

Healy was crowded out inside the Boro box after Jack Colback had set him up, then Murphy showed a good touch to get the ball under control before volleying at Coyne from the angle.

Boro rarely broke through the Town rearguard in the first-half, Chris Killen - one of four debutants for the visitors, having their best effort with an overhead kick from Willo Flood's cross.

David Wheater headed narrowly wide of his own goal from an excellent Healy cross, the striker then diverting his Northern Ireland international team-mate Gareth McAuley's header wide from a corner.

Lee Miller hooked the ball just over the bar in the first exchanges of the second-half, Boro boss Gordon Strachan introducing Jonathan Franks for Andrew Taylor in an early change.

An overhead kick from Murphy had Coyne scrambling across his line to concede a corner, Liam Rosenior testing the 'keeper with a speculative effort from 30 yards.

McAuley headed wide from an excellent Leadbitter free-kick, Killen then bringing a save from Arran Lee-Barrett but the 'keeper was beaten seconds later, Wheater sending a header into the net from a corner on the hour.

Pablo Counago replaced Healy before the restart, Boro then enjoying a flurry of chances with Lee-Barrett saving from Justin Hoyte, then Delaney clearing off the line from Killen.

O'Neill and David Norris picked up yellow cards as the game came to life, Grant Leadbitter seeing a drive beaten out by Boro defending to spark a penalty claim for handball, referee Keith Hill not reacting.

Murphy's shot was blocked by Stephen McManus, Town then introducing a second change with Owen Garvan replacing David Wright, Colback dropping in at full-back for the last 10 minutes.

Garvan volleyed over, Boro then bringing on Leroy Lita and the visitors were inches away from going ahead, Lee-Barrett grabbing the loose ball from Franks' cross.

Jon Stead replaced Murphy for the last five minutes and had an effort just wide, Boro scrambling a McAuley header clear as Blues were left frustrated again.

Town: Lee-Barrett, Rosenior, McAuley, Delaney, D.Wright, Walters, Norris, Leadbitter, Colback (Garvan 79), D. Murphy (Stead 85), Healy (Counago 61). Subs not used: B.Murphy, Peters, Balkestein, Edwards. Booked: Norris.

Middlesbrough: Coyne, Naughton, McManus, Wheater, Grounds, Flood, Hoyte, O'Neil, Taylor (Franks 50), Miller, Killen (Lita 81). Subs not used: Steele, Walker, Bennett, McMahon, Williams. Booked: O'Neil.
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