Kieran Richardson's early strike for the home side was cancelled out by a header from Australian powerhouse Viduka moments after the break.

The draw kept United on top with 82 points, but their persistent chasers Chelsea have an advantage of reducing the 4-point deficit to just one if they beat Newcastle on Sunday.

United sustained their habit of scoring within the opening ten minutes when Richardson hit an empty net as early as the third minute after being set-up by the clear on-goal Wayne Rooney.

The home fans expected a goal fiesta at this moment but a defiant Boro side managed to regroup their lines.

It was seconds into the second half when Stewart Downing whipped in a cross for Viduka and the big man fired in with a diving header in the 45th minute, capitalizing on poor marking by Wes Brown.

Alex Ferguson's team was fortunate to escape a clear penalty claim for the second week in a row after referee Peter Walton turned down a convincing 90th minute penalty for Boro when John O'Shea shoved Lee Dong-Gook inside the area.

Elsewhere, Ahmed Fathi's Sheffield United registered a vital 1-1 away draw at Charlton as the Egyptian defender failed yet again to make the Blades' squad.

Moroccan defender Talal El-Karkouri scored for Charlton in the 59th minute before Jonathan Stead equalized for Sheffield ten minutes later.

Charlton are third from bottom on 33 points while the Blades lie 16th with 35 points, two ahead of the relegation zone.

At Upton Park, Bobby Zamora's magnificent early strike earned West Ham a crucial 1-0 victory over Everton to refresh the Hammers' hopes of remaining in the Premiership.

West Ham are 19th with 32 points, eight points clear of rock bottom Watford who are almost demoted after a 1-1 home draw with Manchester City.