YORK City continued to grow in optimism as Michael Morton’s side held Sky Bet Championship side Middlesbrough to a goalless draw.

After a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday and a behind-closed-doors friendly 4-1 victory over Garforth Town, York welcomed their second Championship outfit to the LNER Community Stadium.

Middlesbrough finished in a play-off position in the Championship last season, before falling to a 1-0 defeat across two matches against Coventry City.

York had already kicked the day off in high sprits after welcoming striker Dipo Akinyemi to the club for an undisclosed fee from Scottish Championship side Ayr United, after the 26-year-old netted 20 goals last campaign and was awarded with the Championship player-of-the-season.

Akinyemi became City’s 12th signing of the Summer, but wouldn’t be making his debut for the Minstermen against Middlesbrough after only having his medical on Friday afternoon.

Morton’s side have quickly become outside contenders for promotions according to the bookkeepers, with the squad they’ve been building, that was also reinforced after fan favourite Olly Dyson penned a two-year extension with the club.

And despite the torrential downpour and horrific conditions that saw the match be temporarily brought to a halt, York were able to match the Championship side and saw out a goalless draw with Middlesbrough.

Defensive additions Tyler Cordner and Callum Howe both made their non-competitive debuts with the club after signing last week, and made a good impression as Morton opted to line-up in a 4-3-3 formation, including a debut for winger Callum Harriott who only joined on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough failed to breakdown Cordner and Howe’s growing partnership at the back, with the duo earning plaudits alongside full-backs Thierry Latty-Fairweather and Michael Duckworth after brave performances in the back line.

Most importantly on the day, York raised a substantial amount to donate to the Shrimpers Supporters’ Trust, with the club having to postponed pre-season fixtures and continuing to operate under a transfer embargo as their ownership under Ron Martin continues to deplete.

Southend supporters have been protesting outside Martin’s house for the past few days, after the owner announced that the club had 42 days to settle their petition debt, whilst the Vanarama National League continues to consider how to proceed.

It’s a very dark situation and is completely contrasted to York’s current situation, but after City’s history, goalkeeper and Head of Recruitment David Stockdale has auctioned off a signed play-off final Sheffield Wednesday shirt, whilst buckets were passed around the LNER Community Stadium to help raise funds, which owner Matt Uggla has promised to match and donate to the Trust.

Harriott almost made an instant impression after a darting run down the wing, but a last-ditch challenge from Sam Collins prevented the debutant a chance to have a strike.

Middlesbrough looked to establish an early dominance as Tommy Smith saw his cross evade a target in the box, before Ryan Whitley continued his impressive form with a calm stop from Isaiah Jones’ audacious effort.

Harriott has previously had spells as high as the Championship, and showed his quality with a fantastic solo run that required the finish, but the Guyana international saw his effort flash wide of the target.

Howe was previously captain at Solihull Moors before his City switch, and quickly showed his leadership attributes with a heroic block to deny Morgan Rogers the opening goal.

Middlesbrough’s Matthew Hoppe began to pile the pressure on York as he narrowly fired wide for the away side, before Rogers attempted an audacious chip which beat Whitley, but couldn’t beat the crossbar before the former Manchester City youngster was ruled for offside earlier in the play.

In the 25th minute the referee made the decision to temporarily halt play due to thunder, lighting and heavy rain, prioritising the safety of the players as they were removed from the action briefly.

Getting back into the thick of it was Howe again, who made another outstanding challenge to dispossess Rogers after the winger found his way through on goal.

Whitley was called back into action to deny Sam Collins’ effort, before York would launch an attack of their own.

Captain Lenell John-Lewis is still looking to open his account in pre-season, and came close as the ball fell to the forward on the edge of the box, before hammering an effort narrowly over the crossbar.

Heading into the second half, Rodgers continued to cause problems for the home side as his mazy run ended with a low cross searching for a Boro teammate, but Howe was once again the thorn in his side as he scrambled the danger clear.

Sammy Silvera had had a quiet game for Middlesbrough so far, but showed his quality as he cut inside of the City defence before curling an effort over the crossbar to the dismay of Michael Carrick, who appeared to be growing frustrated.

City’s Maziar Kouhyar struggled with injuries last season, but is looking to make up for lost time after striking against Garforth in midweek and putting in an impressive performance.

The Afghanistan winger continued his form in the third match of pre-season too, meeting a Michael Duckworth cross on the volley, and forcing Tom Glover into a reactive stop to nearly nick the lead for the Minstermen.

Kouhyar was involved again as he forced Glover into a long-ranged save, before receiving possession again three minutes later and curling narrowly wide of the far corner.

Middlesbrough began to grow back into the game as Smith launched a cross towards Rodgers at the back post, but the winger was unable to connect with the teasing ball before being substituted off two minutes later.

City saw the match out in a goalless stalemate, with a match against Sky Bet League Two side Doncaster Rovers up next on Tuesday, July 18 (7.45pm).

Attendance: 4958 (2185)

Shots (on target): 3 (2) | 3 (2)

Corners: 2 | 4

Offsides: 2 | 3

Fouls committed: 9 | 7