And it means that both sides remain rooted firmly inside the lower reaches of the top flight - and on this evidence they will both be staying there for some time.
While Gareth Southgate's Boro side are hovering just one place above the bottom three, Gary Megson's Bolton outfit are still in it.
It was a forgettable first half in which the home faithful were absolutely convinced that Gary Speed had given Bolton the lead with a left-footed free-kick that just whistled past the right-hand upright.
Some Bolton fans were still celebrating a goal when Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer took the goalkick almost 30 seconds later.
That was just after the quarter hour mark, and from then on the visitors were able to claim some sort of foothold in the game.
The only other chance of the opening 45 minutes came when Bolton's midweek UEFA Cup goal hero Kevin Davies fired just wide after Speed cushioned a long punt forward right on half-time.
From Bolton's point of view, they seemed to be suffering the after effects of their euphoric draw against Bayern Munich on Thursday.
Wanderers had the better of the second half with Ivan Campo - who was recalled to the starting line-up after missing the trip to Bavaria - having perhaps the best opportunity of the game when he poked wide with the goal at his mercy on 61 minutes.
Davies kept a corner alive by lifting it to the back post, where the Spaniard stole in but couldn't convert.
Much like the first half, the Teessiders then came back into the game with Jeremie Aliadiere and Stewart Downing both seeing crisp shots saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Bolton then piled on the late pressure without creating another clear-cut chance to win a disappointing game.