article_snippet: Aiming for automatic promotion, Derby are faltering.
article_snippet: Derby fans look set for the play-offs again at this rate.
article_snippet: It was not a first half to savour for either of these teams with Premier League aspirations.
article_snippet: Beginning the  Championship match two points apart in fourth and third, Derby and Boro both played as if anxious to avoid defeat rather than seize victory.
article_snippet: The double absence of Chris Martin and Darren Bent clipped Derby of their attacking focus in the previous three games leading to defeat and two draws.
article_snippet: Middlesbrough’s form entering this match was quite literally hit and miss: win followed loss in their past six games.
article_snippet: their have struggled away from the Riverside before this.
article_snippet: Derby of held greater possession but did not create a much.
article_snippet: their best opening of the first half came in the 15th minute when Tom Ince whipped a cross to the back post to Jamie Ward, who was unable to apply the killer touch from two yards.
article_snippet: Jesse Lingard came on and had Derby’s best chance, but dragged wide when the ball fell Jesse Lingard way in the box.
highlights_snippet: Derby now without a Championship win in their last five matches .