Middlesbrough 1 Arsenal 1: Former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere delivered another blow to Arsene Wenger's flickering Premier League title hopes by denying them three precious points at the Riverside Stadium.
Aliadiere pounced with a fine glancing header in the 29th minute to cancel out Emmanuel Adebayor's 17th-minute opener and ultimately ensure Gareth Southgate's men a well-deserved share of the spoils.
Stewart Downing was denied a second-half winner by a fine save from Manuel Almunia but the Gunners also had their chances through Robin van Persie and substitute Nicklas Bendtner.
And at the final whistle there was little doubt which side was happier with the point with Wenger facing up to the prospect that his side would be even further adrift of the division's top three by the weekend's end.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was delighted to take "a really good point" but lamented the decision not to award his side a first-half penalty.
"We've played really well with a patched together back four and they were fantastic, the four of them. Their contribution was outstanding," Southgate told Sky Sports 1.
"We created some good chances, Stewart Downing had a really good chance and I'm really pleased, the lads have given everything and it was a really good point for us."
Boro had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 35th minute when Tony McMahon claimed he had been tripped by Gael Clichy just inside the Boro box but referee Peter Walton waved play on.
Asked if he thought it was a penalty, Southgate said: "Yes. We're not getting those decisions at the moment because we had one given against us at the other end against Hull last week.
"Hopefully it will turn for us."
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