ARON Gunnarsson's second half strike saw Coventry City share the spoils with Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

The midfielder's equaliser was a reward for the Sky Blues attacking play, and Chris Coleman's men produced a flurry of late chances with almost won them the game.

Coleman named an unchanged side for the visit to the Riverside, but switched his formation to a 3-5-2, with Stephen Wright and Michael McIndoe playing as wing backs.

The change has translated into the Sky Blues controlling much of the play, although Brad Jones is yet to be properly tested in the Boro goal.

Both sides started with attacking intent, and Sammy Clingan produced a dangerous seventh minute drilled cross after being found in space in the area - but no City player could reach the ball to turn it home.

Middlesbrough's first real chance came in the 17^th minute when 16-year-old Luke Williams shot from the edge of the area and an awkward bounce sent the ball off Keiren Westwood's chest and back into the six yard box - but Leon Barnett was first to react and cleared the ball.

The Sky Blues looked comfortable in possession and were lucky not to create more chances from their build-up play. They came close to creating and opening in the 32^nd minute when a swift move saw Wright play in David Bell who won a corner.

Clingan stepped up for the set-piece and swung the ball onto Richard Wood's head - but the former Sheffield Wednesday defender couldn't hit the target.

In the 40^th minute, another Clingan corner caused panic when McIndoe headed the ball into a busy area towards four Sky Blues shirts - but Jones rushed out and punched clear, leading to Clinton Morrison picking up a knock, from which he recovered.

City's had a great chance in the 52^nd minute when Eastwood found Gunnarsson in the area, and the Icelander spun and fired a shot towards goal. Jones parried the effort into the path of Morrison, but his sliding effort was denied after the keeper recovered.

From the save, Boro then took a fortuitous lead. The home side broke down the left hand side and Jeremie Aliadiere rolled the ball to Scott McDonald who side footed the ball into the top corner.

However, the set-back dampen City's attacking mindset and they drew level through Gunnarsson six minutes later.

Morrison was the architect, after creating room to shoot in the Boro area which Jones could only block - and the 21-year-old pounced the score his first goal of the season.

Both teams pushed for a winner, and Boro thought they might have had the lead in the 75^th minute when a Barry Robson shot was palmed away by Westwood into the path of Lita, who hammered the ball into the net - but the former-Reading striker was clearly offside.

Coventry nearly took advantage of an 84^th minute spill by Jones when the keeper dropped a McIndoe cross and, after a scramble, Eastwood took possession and passed to Gunnarsson, but he couldn't hit the target and the ball went over.

There was still time for the Sky Blues to win it and young substitutes Jordan Clarke and Sean Jeffers nearly combined for a dream goal. Fellow sub Carl Baker sent the ball across to Clarke who cleverly played the ball back into the area and Jeffers' shot was just inches wide of the post.

Boro were hanging on and Baker then had a chance of his own when he received the ball on the left side of the area and sent a low shot towards the far corner of the net, but it bounced just wide of the post.

However, Gordon Strachan's men held on and both sides settled for a point each.

Attendance: 20,771 (365 away)

Coventry City (3-5-2): Westwood; Wood, Barnett, Cranie; Wright (c) (Clarke 75), Bell (Baker 79), Clingan, Gunnarsson, McIndoe; Morrison (Jeffers 84), Eastwood.
Subs: Konstantopoulos (GK), Hall, Hussey, Grandison.

Middlesbrough: Jones; Hoyte, McManus, Riggott, Bennett; L Williams, Robson (c), R Williams (Lita 63); Aliadiere (Franks 73), Miller, McDonald
Subs: Coyne (GK), Killen, Arca, Grounds, Naughton.