Newcastle United and West Brom, who were relegated at the same time last year, have sailed back into the top flight but Middlesbrough have finished Championship also-rans after a disappointing and frustrating season.
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson, who has bankrolled the club for a decade, issued a "We'll bounce back" message in the match programme.
Gibson wrote: "No-one at the club is under any illusions that this season has not been good enough. We are not happy to have missed out on promotion.
"The truth is, of course, that it's been a poor couple of years, especially after the success we enjoyed in the previous decade or so since moving to the Riverside.
"I know the last 24 months have not been good enough. But we are not about to lay down and die. No one here is feeling sorry for themselves.
"We are going to shrug off the disappointment, roll our sleeves up and work our socks off and make sure that next season is a big improvement on this one.
"I am absolutely committed and determined to bring top-flight football back to the Riverside. The club is geared for the Premier League and we will use the summer months wisely to ensure we are in a position to make a determined challenge for promotion."
Coventry City manager Chris Coleman will also be happy to see the end of this season.
The Sky Blues have not won for ten games and have slid down the table in recent weeks.
Coleman, no doubt, will also be eager to rebuild in the summer break.
The first half was goalless and disappointing though teenager Luke Williams showed flashes of skill for Middlesbrough.
Both teams sprayed passes around but there was a lack of individual flair and penalty area excitement a the game cried out for a goal and Middlesbrough were the first to respond.
After Brad Jones had rescued Middlesbrough with a double save, they hit back with Scott McDonald scoring with a shot following a left wing cross from Jeremie Aliadiere.
Coventry, however, were not to be denied and deserved an equaliser shortly after through the energetic Aron Gunnarsson.
The Sky Blues, in fact, came close to snatching a late winner but overall a draw was a fair result.