Fulham 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

Last updated : 18 October 2003 By Footymad Previewer

Wolves finally managed to drag themselves off the bottom of the table in a drab Loftus Road contest.

Dave Jones' side battled out a goalless draw in West London as Fulham failed to reproduce their recent form.

Wolves had the first shot of the game as early as the third minute. Kenny Miller did well to beat Fulham right-back Dean Leacock and, though his cross was headed clear, Joey Gudjonsson hit a first-time strike which was comfortably saved.

Two minutes later, the home side managed to carve their first opening. Mark Pembridge produced a decent cross but Louis Saha was unable to direct his header goalwards.

Much of the first half remained scrappy and the referee Howard Webb frustrated home fans with several bizarre decisions but Fulham finally managed another breakthrough after 24 minutes A deep cross fell to Saha inside the box but the Frenchman mis-kicked his volley and the ball fell to Junichi Inamoto who failed to make the most of the chance.

Saha's best chance of the half came six minutes later. This time he did manage to connect with the ball but his header from five yards drifted wide of the Wolves goal.

Wolves' chances throughout the opening period were limited while Fulham failed to make the most of Steed Malbranque's crossing ability.

Five minutes before the break though Malbranque came close to scoring when he fired a fierce shot at goal which keeper Michael Oakes did well to keep out.

The second half was more lively as Wolves came back into the game. Jody Craddock saw a diving header beaten away by Edwin Van der Sar before Inamoto made a desperate attempt to give his side the advantage as he appeared to dive on 58 minutes for which he was booked.

Nathan Blake headed over the bar for Wolves on the hour mark and eight minutes later the home side looked certain to take the lead.

Substitute Barry Hayles put Malbranque through on goal but his shot was saved by the diving feet of Oakes.

Henri Camara produced one of the moments of an uninspiring game 20 minutes from time but his superb shot on the turn was well saved.

A dramatic late climax saw the Fulham goalkeeper deny Nathan Blake with a great one-handed save while Malbranque hit a looping volley against the bar.

Afterwards, Wolves boss Dave Jones said: "We did well today but their goalkeeper made three or four very good saves. We are now getting more players back to fitness and it's starting to show." Meanwhile, Fulham boss Chris Coleman added: "We didn't have much luck but to be fair to Wolves they had several chances of their own."