McClaren happy with Boro draw

AZ Alkmaar 0 Middlesbrough 0

Boro became the first side in seven attempts to keep out last season’s beaten semi-finalists at the Alkmaarderhout during the current campaign as goalkeeper Brad Jones and central defender Chris Riggott led a superb rearguard action.

The Teessiders got the benefit of a generous offside decision from one of Italian referee Gianluca Paparesta’s assistants which ruled out Tarik Sektioui’s 13th-minute strike, but McClaren was delighted with the way his side made the most of their let-off.