Arsenal produced another late show at the Emirates Stadium as Kolo Toure rescued a point against Middlesbrough - but it was not enough to send the Gunners back to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

After Manchester United beat bottom club Derby County 1-0, Arsene Wenger's men knew only victory in the day's late kick-off would be good enough to remain ahead in the title race.

However, a goal from Jeremie Aliadiere against his old club in the 25th minute looked to be sending them to defeat following a determined defensive display by the visitors.

But Toure nodded in with just four minutes left to earn a share of the spoils.

Boro finished the game with 10 men when substitute Mido was sent off for a high kick on Gael Clichy.

Slowly Arsenal started to get control of midfield.

Emmanuel Eboue whipped in a cross from the goal-line on the right, which looped over keeper Mark Schwarzer and came off the top of the crossbar.

Arsenal had dominated the opening quarter of an hour, but despite plenty of positive build-up just lacked a telling pass.

Fit-again Robin van Persie - back in the starting XI for the first time since January - showed his rustiness as he missed an attempted volley when coming in on the angle down the left.

Eboue then created space for himself on the right side of the box and drilled in a low shot, which Schwarzer did well to deflect behind at the near post.

In a rare moment of action at the other end, Gary O'Neil fired a shot over the bar from 20 yards following a quick break.

Then out of nothing, Boro snatched the lead in the 25th minute.

Schwarzer took a free-kick deep in his own half. A long ball down the left released Tuncay Sanli ahead of the Arsenal defence, who were holding on the halfway line looking to play offside.

The Turk dashed clear and his pass back across the face of goal picked out Aliadiere - who took great delight in knocking the ball into the net.

Arsenal - who had recorded just one win in the last six matches - needed a quick response.

Eboue charged down the right and on into the penalty area before going down under a challenge from Boro captain Emmanuel Pogatetz, but referee Mark Halsey signalled only a goal kick.

The home side pressed again at the start of the second half. Van Persie made space outside the left edge of the penalty area, and drilled a low shot just wide from 20 yards.

Arsenal continued to have the better possession as the hour mark approached, but without making any real progress.

With 15 minutes left, a header from Fabregas shaved the outside of the post with Schwarzer beaten - just about summing up Arsenal's afternoon.

With four minutes remaining, Boro felt that George Boateng was fouled by Eboue but Arsenal were awarded a corner.

And it was from that set-piece that Toure levelled when his header found its way into the net after Schwarzer and substitute Andrew Taylor collided on the line.

Mido - who had only just come on after 79 minutes - was shown a straight red for kicking Clichy as he went for a high ball.

Arsenal pressed for a winner in four minutes of stoppage time, but had to be content with a fourth successive draw.