McDonald, who joined Boro from Celtic in the January transfer window, has scored 18 goals this season, with his latest strike taking his Middlesbrough tally to four.

It came in the 52nd minute after indecision from the Coventry defence allowed McDonald to pounce and he did emphatically by lashing a shot into the roof of the net.

Six minutes later Coventry equalised after Aussie 'keeper Brad Jones had done well to save Stephen Wright's shot, only for Aron Gunnarsson to pounce on the rebound.

Socceroo McDonald tried to find a winner late, forcing Coventry stopper Kieren Westwood into a good save, but it ended 1-1.

McDonald and Jones along with Rhys Williams, who has been playing with pain from a pelvic injury, all played the full 90 minutes.

In England's Premier League, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton were both missing for Blackburn Rovers as they drew 1-1 at Wolverhampton.

Elsewhere in the EPL, Richard Garcia remained on the sidelines due to a knee injury as Hull City's relegation worries worsened following a 1-0 home loss to Sunderland.

In Scotland's Premier League, young Aussie pair James Wesolowski and Trent McClenahan both played full games as Hamilton Academical won 1-0 at Falkirk to seal their status in the top flight for another season.

Elsewhere in the SPL, Danny Invincibile was absent as Kilmarnock lost 1-0 at St Mirren. Killie are just one point ahead of Falkirk, who are in last and at risk of relegation.

In England's Championship, Adam Federici was beaten three times as Reading lost 3-0 at Watford, who sealed their survival with the victory.

In England's League One, Neil Kilkenny's Leeds United moved to within two wins of promotion after defeating MK Dons 4-1.

Kilkenny, who played a full game, did well helping Max Gradel score in the first-half to make it 2-1. Fellow Aussie Shane Lowry wasn't in the Leeds squad.

Elsewhere in the third tier, Dean Heffernan was missing as Huddersfield sealed their playoffs spot with a 6-0 win at Stockport.

Meanwhile, Gareth Edds' Tranmere Rovers remain in relegation trouble after a 1-1 draw at Colchester United. Edds was an unused sub.

In England's League Two, Dean Bouzanis came off the bench to save a penalty as Accrington Stanley were hammered 5-1 by Crewe.

Bouzanis was called upon after Accrington number one Ian Dunbavin was sent off in the 67th minute when he brought down Clayton Donaldson inside the box.

The Aussie shot-stopper saved the resulting penalty but Crewe scored on the follow-up.

Elsewhere, Scott Guyett was an unused sub as Bournemouth sealed promotion with a 2-0 win at Burton Albion.

Meanwhile, Jamie Young put in a full shift with Oliver Bozanic was absent as Aldershot Town defeated Cheltenham 2-1 and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played a full game as Shrewsbury lost 2-0 at Northampton Town.

In Scotland's First Division, Ryan McGowan put in a full shift as Ayr United were thrashed 7-0 by Inverness Caledonian Thistle to worsen their relegation problems.

Elsewhere, Simon Storey played a full game as struggling Airdrie United drew 2-2 at Queen of the South, while Brisbane Roar-bound Erik Paartalu put in a full shift as Morton lost 4-1 at Dunfermline.