Middlesbrough took a nervy step towards the Premiership with a point in an enthralling battle against a spirited Wolves side at the Riverside Stadium. The draw also means that Nottingham Forest win the league.

Wolves started the brighter and could well have been ahead. Robbie Keane was particularly impressive, but he had to go off injured in the second half, after a challenge by Curtis Fleming.

The visitors shocked the sell-out crowd with a superb opening which could have rewarded them with more than a 10th minute strike from defensive midfielder Mark Atkins.

A fine Lee Naylor cross was headed beyond the edge of the home box for Atkins to fire an unstoppable drive in off the base of Mark Schwarzer's left hand upright from 30 yards.

The home side were stung into immediate retaliation and within 90 seconds were level when Colombian Ricard fired through Stowell's legs after Maddison had headed back a Curtis Fleming cross.

The home side largely dominated the remainder of the first half although Keane was always a threat down the Wolves left.

Middlesbrough grew in confidence and only a superb flying save by Stowell in the Wolves goal stopped a Keith Curle deflection from a thunderous Paul Merson drive giving Middlesbrough a 47th minute lead.

Fleming had the ball in the net, in the 65th minute, only for the effort to be chalked off for a push on Keane.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Maddison (Kinder 65), Fleming, Vickers, Festa, Townsend, Mustoe, Gascoigne, Beck, Merson, Ricard. Subs Not Used: Blackmore, Campbell. Booked: Beck. Goals: Ricard 12.

Wolverhampton: Stowell, Muscat, Naylor, Atkins, Emblen, Curle, Goodman, Simpson, Paatelainen, Keane (Froggatt 65), Osborn. Subs Not Used: Bull, Ferguson. Goals: Atkins 10. Attendance: 29,878.

Referee: M C Bailey (Impington).