Both teams finished last season at Wembley but with differing results. The visitors are hotly tipped to go one better this term and get promotion to the top flight whilst Preston are expected to settle into Championship life a lot lower in the table.
Graysons et up his side not to be beaten as he has done in several games under his tenure against sides in and around the top end of the Championship.
Pretson lined up with five at the back with new boys Vernijl and Cunningham playing in the full back positions. Clarke, Huntington and Wright played in the middle. Pickford started in goal.
Welsh played alongside Johnson and Galalgher in a narrow midfield whilst Keane partnered Garner up front. Wembley hero Beckford was left otu of the matchday suqad after suffering a knock on his ankle but should be fit to return shortly.
Preston sat back in the first half soaking up the pressure but at time invited the visitors too much into Preston's half. It was a tight affair with Boro almost taking the lead early on after a mistake from the home side. Fortunately, the hsot went wide of Pickford's post.
North End pushed forward more in the second half. The main chances came from Keane who could not direct a free header from a corner in the first half, Garner who missed a late header and Bailey Wright.
The visitors also had an opportunity to score from a set piece but a wayward header put pay to that chance. Middlebsorough were unable to break down Preston's defence and the game finished goalless.
Most will be hapy with a point against a side who are set to be challenging for promotion. It sets preston up for two league games against MK Dons and Rotherham who are expected to be in and around Preston this season.
First, Preston travel to Crewe on Wednesday for the League Cup First Round. In the interim, Midlesborough have made a £4m bid for former Pretson striker David Nugent which just shows the chasm between the two clubs financially.