West Bromwich Albion were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Leeds United in the Baggies' first home Championship match of the season.
In a game of just two efforts on target, Leeds earned their second draw in successive Championship outings, while Albion failed to build on their season-opening away win in west London against Queens Park Rangers.
Albion were beaten Championship play-off semi-finalists in May, while Leeds went one game further, losing in the final to Southampton - but both sides were a long way sort of their best, simply cancelling each other out at The Hawthorns in a competitive but dour stalemate.
After losing 3-0 at home to Middlesbrough in the League Cup in midweek, Leeds boss Daniel Farke made one enforced change from their opening day 3-3 draw with Portsmouth, following the proposed sale of Georginio Rutter to Brighton, bringing in Dutch striker Joel Piroe.
But, after making 11 changes for the midweek League Cup defeat at League Two Fleetwood, Albion head coach Carlos Corberan retained the same side that won at Loftus Road thanks to an opening day Josh Maja hat-trick.
But, although the atmosphere was bouncing at kick-off time, once a respectful minute's applause in memory of two well-liked former Albion employees Craig Shakespeare and Kevin Campbell had been observed, the game failed to ignite.
It was not until first-half injury time that either side had a real chance when Leeds defender Pascal Struijk had a header from Ilia Gruev's cross deflected just wide.
It took until the 50th minute to see the first shot on target, when Jayson Molumby fired a fierce right-foot shot from the edge of the box straight at Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.
Leeds then had an on-target effort too when Ethan Ampadu's looping header from Gruev's free-kick was comfortably saved by Alex Palmer.
Kyle Bartley also had a header just over after a well worked free-kick routine on the right instigated by John Swift.
But most in the 25,329 crowd, including 2,535 noisy Leeds fans, had long since settled for a draw by the end.
West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
"We worked hard and showed a lot of commitment.
"Leeds have one of the strongest teams in the Championship, but this result was fair, according to the chances created by both teams."
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
"To get this outcome after such a difficult week, I’m pleased.
"We are happy when we win with offensive fireworks. That wasn’t the case this time but there were many positives.
"After conceding six goals in two games, compliments to my players for their reaction to get a priceless point.
"I have not won many games here over the years and just I wanted to show our unity, that we are a proper team."
Who's next?
Leeds are next back in action on Friday night when they take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in a Yorkshire derby (23 August, 20:00 BST).
Albion go into their first Midlands derby of the season the following day at Stoke (24 August, 15:00 BST).
