At times it was embarrassing as neither side looked capable of stringing a pass together, while chances were a rarity.
Middlesbrough have now won just three of these 22 Premiership derby encounters, but have taken the plaudits this season with four points from a possible six against Newcastle United.
But if both managers had deliberately asked their players to serve up their worst performances it's unlikely they could have done any worse.
Boro never looked like carving up a chance and Newcastle never appeared capable of scoring in what was arguably the worst display from both sides this season.
The jeers reverberating around St James' Park told exactly what the fans thought as Newcastle failed to score for the second time in six days, but they still moved back in to the top ten.
A lacklustre first half never burst to life between two negative sides and chances were at a premium.
The only first effort of merit came from James Milner, who cut in from the right only to see his 20-yarder easily handled by Mark Schwarzer.
At the other end Mark Viduka pulled a 25-yard shot wide as both teams struggled to string any passes together.
Obafemi Martins was sent clear after 16 minutes but Schwarzer stayed tall and managed to hook his chip shot behind for a corner.
Steven Taylor was given a free header from a Milner corner but his effort flew straight at Schwarzer.
Boro came back strongly and Stewart Downing's long ball down the left was seized upon by Yakubu who picked out strike partner Viduka, who turned to fire narrowly wide.
Those hoping for an improved second half were disappointed by another ordinary display.
If either side looked like scoring it was Newcastle and Milner came close five minutes after the resumption when crashing a 25-yard free-kick against the bar.
Skipper Scott Parker then had the best two chances, the first when he fizzed a right- foot drive across the goal and narrowly beyond the far upright.
Then with the clock ticking into time added on, Parker bravely threw himself at a Nicky Butt cross from the right and a relived Schwarzer managed to hold on to the ball at the second attempt.