Boro came for a draw, closed the hatches and dug in deep, and sadly got their reward. It was enough to get the game "done away with", but as the home side were were expected to break them down.
Roeder: "Never In Danger Of Losing"
Glenn Roeder: "Whenever we play at home and we only draw, it is two points dropped whether we are playing Middlesbrough or anybody else.
"The expectation here, Newcastle at St James' Park, we are expected to win. It is disappointing that we have not scored to win the game. It is very rare to see a 0-0 at St James' Park over the last few seasons.
"We had chances - we did not have lots of chances, but give credit where it is due, Middlesbrough set up defensively very well.
"But we had the chances that were on offer and unfortunately they did not go in.
"The goalkeeper made a great save from Scott Parker late on when we could have pinched it, but it was not to be. As much as I do not like saying this, sometimes you have to accept what you are given.
"Over the last few seasons Newcastle have often gone and lost that type of game 1-0, and yet when you analyse it, we were never in danger of losing the game."
Boro boss Gareth Southgate: "We came here to try to win. As the game panned out, it was quite tight. We had to defend well, which we did as a team. The goalkeeper and the back four were excellent.
"At the end of what has been a tough week for us, the lads gave absolutely everything.
"I did not need to get them up for the game, they were very up for it anyway.
"It was just a case of would they have the energy to see it through. But especially in the last 10 minutes, they showed the resilience and the awareness to get the clean sheet.
"What impressed me with Mark Schwarzer was he was not called upon for much of the game, but then he pulled off a couple of outstanding saves right near the end.
"But I would not want to single anybody out because collectively, they did everything they possibly could, they gave absolutely everything.
"We were not at our sharpest, but I expected that after what had happened in midweek.
"We have taken four points from our local rivals and, considering we are supposed to be a smaller club, that is very pleasing for us and for our fans.
"We took four points from them last year. We outplayed them at the Riverside earlier this season and lost 1-0. That's football.
"I know which club is bigger - and always has been and always will be."