Leeds United had to dig in away from home against Crystal Palace to hold the home side to a 0-0 draw and give their Premier League survival hopes a massive boost.
In a feisty first half, Crystal Palace should have taken the lead but Jean-Philippe Mateta, leading Palace’s attack, missed two chances to put his team ahead.
Neither side was able to find its rhythm in the opening period.
The trend continued in the second half with all the action taking place in and around the Leeds United goal as the game approached the latter stages.
Wilfried Zaha was next to be denied by goalkeeper Illan Meslier who has had to make the most saves this season.
Leeds survived further late pressure but held on for the draw.
Palace mustered 17 shots in the game, last attempting more without a goal in a Premier League match on Boxing Day 2018 against Cardiff City.
The stalemate takes them to 34 points from 33 matches, five points clear of the relegation zone albeit having played a game more than Everton in 18th who lost to Liverpool at the weekend.
Palace remains 14th on 38 points.
Leeds are yet not safe but are in a better place to stay up.
Their new coach Jesse Marsch has picked up 11 points in his seven games at the helm, seven more than they managed in previous boss Marcelo Bielsa’s last seven in charge.
