UPDATE 2-Soccer-Middlesbrough's draw increases relegation fears

* Middlesbrough held to draw by Fulham

* Stoke win to move eight points clear of relegation

* Villa make it eight league games without a win (Adds quotes)

By Neil Maidment

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) - Middlesbrough's Premier League relegation fears increased on Saturday with a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham.

They failed to pose an attacking threat for much of the game and it was Fulham who came closest to breaking the deadlock when striker Andy Johnson's first-half shot came back off the inside of the post.

Boro move above Newcastle United into 18th place and are six points clear of bottom club West Bromwich Albion, but remain in the relegation zone three points adrift of Blackburn.

They have five matches left to play including Arsenal on April 26 and leaders Manchester United on May 2.

"It wasn't a performance I can be too critical of. Every player played with everything they had, with passion and heart," Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate told the BBC (www.bbc.co.uk/sport).