Leicester City and Newcastle United have been involved in high-scoring matches in recent seasons but just when both had keen hopes of three points a fragmented goalless draw left both frustrated.
Leicester are chasing a place in Europe whereas Newcastle still have the cloud of relegation blotting out their FA Cup sun. Newcastle were doubtless the better pleased with the outcome - especially since Shay Given made some excellent saves for them - and they certainly had enough possession to have won.
Yet if Kenny Dalglish's side could not find any fortune in front of goal Alan Shearer was more than lucky to stay on the pitch after clearly aiming a retaliatory kick upon Neil Lennon when the two jostled on the byline.
Lennon and Ian Marshall created an early opening which bobbled behind the Leicester attackers, and a half-volley by Emile Heskey from a corner was fortuitously blocked.
Leicester, fresh from their televised 4-0 victory at Derby, sought to reproduce this form in front of their own fans but it was Newcastle who began more comfortably although, characteristically, without producing much danger.
Warren Barton's run into the penalty area was spotted by David Batty but although his throughball was directed well enough its trajectory did not allow Barton the chance to direct his header. Newcastle continued to squeeze Leicester back into their own half and deny them possession without ever appearing unduly threatening. Shearer was frequently forced wide with Matt Elliott invariably controlling the centre ground.
As for Leicester, they were finding scoring chances no more easy to come by with their best efforts directed from long range. City looked at their most dangerous when Steve Guppy found room on the left, with one shot deflected for a corner much to the relief of the Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given. Rob Lee's pace and direct runs similarly created half-openings for Newcastle.
Play opened up a little thereafter and it took an excellent save by Given to deny Heskey who had previously looked to have been held in the penalty area.
Guppy's free-kick was met virtually perfectly by the 20-year-old City striker but as he raised his arms in expectation of a goal Given plunged to his left and turned the header aside.
Leicester: Keller, Savage, Guppy, Walsh, Elliott, Kaamark, Izzet, Lennon, Zagorakis (Ullathorne 78), Marshall (Cottee 82), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Fenton, Wilson, Arphexad. Booked: Lennon. Newcastle: Given, Barton, Batty, Howey, Lee, Shearer, Speed, Pearce, Ketsbaia, Pistone, Dabizas. Subs Not Used: Hislop, Barnes, Watson, Hamilton, Andersson. Booked: Dabizas, Speed, Barton. Attendance: 21,699.
Referee: M J Bodenham (East Looe).
