THE Championship's two draw specialists served up an almost predictable outcome on Saturday, February 26, but it was Watford who were marginally the happier after holding Wolverhampton Wanderers to a drab 0-0 stalemate at Molineux.

On an atrocious pitch and in blustery conditions there were few chances of note, with Hameur Bouazza and Gavin Mahon going closest for the visitors, although the best opportunity fell to Wolves' Kenny Miller, but he fired over from inside the six-yard box.

With Heidar Helguson still not fit to return, Ray Lewington made only the one expected change, as Richard Lee returned in goal after completing his rehabilitation from a fractured cheekbone. There was no place in the Wolves 16 for the man he replaced, Paul Jones, but Glenn Hoddle did make one change to the team that drew with QPR, with Kevin Cooper coming in for Colin Cameron, who dropped to the bench.

Wolves created the first danger after three minutes when a Lee Naylor corner from the right flashed across the Watford goalmouth, and then the Hornets had to see off two more corners in quick succession.

The home side continued to apply the early pressure and Naylor caused more problems when he spun away from Neil Cox and got to the by-line, but was unable to pick out anyone with his cross, but the ball ran out to Rob Edwards who played in another dangerous ball which was too far ahead of Leon Clarke.

The first attempt on goal finally arrived after 14 minutes when Naylor tried a low, left-footed free-kick from around 22 yards which Lee managed to hold onto, even though he was partly moving in the opposite direction. Miller then headed a Seol cross from the left well wide.

With Watford still struggling to get going, Naylor again had another attempt from long range, but Lee was behind it. Paul Ince was next to try his luck from distance but his shot was blocked behind by Jay DeMerit.

But when Watford finally mustered their first attempt after 27 minutes they so nearly took the lead. Jermaine Darlington played the ball down the inside left channel to Danny Webber, who got half a yard on Jody Craddock and then took him out of the game as he reached the by-line, before passing back to Bouazza, who struck an instant shot into the side netting. Soon after though, Miller struck a dipping half-volley from the edge of the area that wasn't far wide of Lee's right-hand post.

Rob Edwards and Mahon were booked for fouls within two minutes of each other, and then Cox had a header blocked following a Johnnie Jackson corner from the left, although when the ball was played downfield Darlington got himself in all types of trouble but Clarke couldn't capitalise when he appeared to have a clear run through on goal.

After a tepid first-half the second period opened in similar fashion until Mahon came within inches of giving Watford the lead after 54 minutes, hitting a left-foot shot from 20 yards that hit struck the net support behind the goal as keeper Michael Oakes remained rooted to the spot.

Almost immediately, Carl Cort came on for Cooper and soon after the substitute released Clarke on the left and the striker teased Cox before playing in a cross which Miller stabbed over from inside the six-yard box.

Watford had a sniff of an opening after 64 minutes when Bouazza did very well to spin between two opponents on the left flank, but his cross was just too close to Oakes with Webber ready to pounce. But soon after an incisive Miller pass released Cort down the right side of the area, but instead of homing in on goal he looked for the pull-back and the Hornets were able to clear behind for a corner.

Lee had to go to ground to hold a Clarke attempt from 20 yards after 73 minutes, and then Wolves made their second change, bringing on Mark Kennedy for Keith Andrews.

Wolves were not far away from taking the lead with ten minutes left when Ince stabbed wide of the near post from the edge of the six-yard box after Joleon Lescott had flicked on a long throw into the area, and then Hoddle made his third and final change, bringing on Cameron for Seol.

Watford were equally close at the other end soon after when Chris Eagles flashed a free-kick from just outside the left edge of the penalty area across the six-yard box, but no one could get a touch, and then Webber had a shot deflected through to Oakes.

Bruce Dyer came on for Webber with four minutes left and then Dominic Blizzard saw a shot deflected behind as a poor game drifted to a goalless conclusion.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Oakes; Edwards, Craddock, Lescott, Naylor; Cooper, Ince, Andrews; Seol; Miller, Clarke. Substitutes: Cort for Cooper after 55 mins; Kennedy for Andrews after 76 mins; Cameron for Seol after 81 mins; Olofinjana and Ikeme not used.

Watford: Lee; Chambers, Cox, DeMerit, Darlington; Eagles, Blizzard, Jackson, Mahon, Bouazza; Webber. Substitutes: Dyer for Webber after 86 mins; Ardley, Doyley, Young and Chamberlain not used.

Bookings: Edwards for a foul on Bouazza after 30 mins; Mahon for a foul on Ince after 32 mins.

Attendance: 25,060 Referee: Graham Salisbury (Preston).