Albion's under-23s have caught the first team's early season habit of clean sheets.

Simon Rusk's back-up squad launched their campaign in Premier League 2 with a 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium tonight.

They will return south with a creditable point from an uneventful encounter bereft of goalscoring opportunities for both sides.

Former Real Madrid youth Jack Harper went closest for Albion in the closing stages of the first half with a shot inside the box which was blocked.

Summer signings Ben Hall from Motherwell and Tyler Hornby-Forbes from Fleetwood made their debuts in Rusk's starting line-up.

 

Centre-half Hall kept Albion in terms in the second half by blocking a close range header from Arnel Jakupovic, who scored 20 goals in as many games last season for Boro.

The hosts gave a first half outing to first team defender Daniel Ayala, making his comeback from ankle trouble.

Albion begin their home campaign against Aston Villa at Crawley FC next Monday, then entertain Fulham at the Amex four nights later (both 7pm).

Middlesbrough: Fryer; Halliday, Ayala (Espinosa 46), Jackson, McGinley, Tinkler, Maloney, Tavernier (Pattison 61), Cooke, Mondal (McAloon 72), Jakupovic. Subs: Pears, Johnson.

Albion (4-4-1-1): Sanchez; Collar, Hall, Barclay, Adekugbe; Hornby-Forbes, Molumby, Hutchinson (Ayunga 85), Ward; Starkey; Harper (Tilley 76). Subs: Vose, Cadman, Tighe.