Preston North End and Sheffield United cancelled each other out in a dour 0-0 draw at Deepdale.
Entertainment in short supply at Deepdale
Preston North End and Sheffield United cancelled each other out in a dour 0-0 draw at Deepdale.
The play-off hopefuls both failed to fire as Preston's six-game winning streak at home in the Championship came to an end.
Stephen Quinn had a goal disallowed for the Blades, while the hosts almost snatched the points late on through Chris Brown.
The game began in a cagey fashion with both sides happy to retain possession and build from the back.
It was not until the 13th minute that fans witnessed the first shot on goal as Lilywhites midfielder Richard Chaplow made some space for himself before testing goalkeeper Paddy Kenny from 20 yards.
However, it was the visitors who enjoyed the majority of possession although they lacked the creative spark to create any openings of note.
Goalscoring chances were few and far between, although Preston did come to life during the final five minutes of the half.
But their sporadic attacks were snuffed out by the defensive-minded Blades as Chris Sedgwick's drive was bravely blocked by Leigh Bromby.
The best chance of the first half fell to former Barnsley midfielder Brian Howard who unleashed a ferocious drive from the edge of the area which had goalkeeper Andy Lonergan at full stretch in the 43rd minute.
Rejuvenated
The second period began with a flurry as a rejuvenated United pressed for the opener and Howard's rasping effort cleared the bar by inches a minute in.
The Blades began to gain confidence and were fast moving up the gears as a hurried clearance from Youl Mawene was sliced over his own crossbar and goalkeeper Lonergan had to take evasive action to palm Bromby's header over from the resulting corner.
Despite being overwhelmed in the possession stakes, the home side still threatened on the counter attack and should have taken the lead in the 66th minute when Stephen Elliott's inswinging cross found strike partner Jon Parkin but his improvised back heel rolled inches wide.
The visitors always looked the most likely side to snatch the lead and came close when Danny Webber's drilled effort crept narrowly over.
Kevin Blackwell's Blades did finally find the back of the net in the 76th minute but were frustrated by the linesman's flag as Webber was penalised for being offside after Quinn's effort from the edge of the box had Lonergan beaten.
But just as both sides seemed resigned to sharing the spoils, substitute striker Brown should have sealed maximum points for the home side but he clipped a gilt-edged chance over from six yards out with the goal gaping.
