NEWCASTLE United Juniors extended their unbeaten start to 2008 as they were held to a goalless draw by Middlesbrough in the Tyne-Tees derby.

Magpie new boys Ben Tozer and Tamas Kadar played the full 90 minutes in a game which was ruined by gale force winds at the club's Little Benton Academy.

And it was Hungarian Kadar who teed-up James Marwood for the hosts' best opening just before the break, but unfortunately for United the young winger was unable to convert the full-back's cross from just a few yards out.

Michael McCrudden then saw a point blank header saved by Matt Atkinson before Dan Leadbitter, aided by the swirling wind, almost caught out the Boro stopper with a high cross in the closing stages.

The result means Joe Joyce and Kenny Wharton's men are now unbeaten in four since the turn of the year.

NUFC: Mark Cook, Dan Leadbitter, Tamas Kadar, Callum Morris, Matthew Grieve, Ben Tozer, James Marwood, Patrick McLaughlin, Dan Neary (Campbell Bell, 86m), Frank Wiafe Danquah, Michael McCrudden (Stewart Bath, 61m)
Subs not used: Kieran Wrightson, James Taylor