There was a season's best crowd of 25,367 at a passionate Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion and Southampton could not be separated at The Hawthorns as the second Championship play-off semi-final of the day finished goalless.
Just like Norwich City and Leeds United earlier, Albion and Saints cancelled each other out in a game of few chances.
And it now sets up an equally tense second leg at St Mary's on Friday night.
Albion, who twice lost to Southampton in this season’s two league meetings, will have their work cut out if they are to make a first Championship play-off final since 2007.
Saints, looking to return to the top flight at the first attempt after relegation last season, will start as favourites - despite an injury concern over Che Adams that caused him to miss the first leg.
On a sun-kissed afternoon in the Black Country, fuelled by an outstandingly passionate atmosphere at kick-off time, Albion made a very lively start.
But it was quickly clear that, in such stifling conditions, they could not keep up that same sort of frenetic pace against a side as defensively well marshalled as Southampton.
Saints had marginally the better of the handful of first-half chances.
Right-back Kyle Walker-Peters' low effort flashed across the face, Adam Armstrong volleyed into the side netting and Sekou Mara overhead's kick flew just over.
But the Baggies had perhaps the best opening when Grady Diangana's header from Tom Fellows' cross was saved by Saints keeper Alex McCarthy.
It was a similar tale after the break, although Albion now looked the likelier of the two sides to make a breakthrough.
Alex Mowatt fired an Albion free-kick just over, before Fellows’ break down the right threatened to at last open the visitors up.
But Diangana fired his low effort straight at McCarthy, who made a scrambled save before Saints cleared their lines.
There was a minor panic when Bednarek and McCarthy, dangerously trying to play 'keep-ball' in their own six-yard box, went for one touch too many and almost passed Saints into disaster.
But it was already long since clear that this game would remain goalless.
Alex McCarthy was slightly the busier of the two keepers at The Hawthorns
Friday’s second leg may now hinge on the fitness of Southampton’s Scotland international striker Adams.
Southampton, who outscored Albion 87 to 70 in their 46 games throughout the regular season, clearly missed the 18-goal Adams.
After being forced off after an hour with “tightness” in Saints’ 2-1 final day win at Leeds United, boss Russell Martin had told the local media that he was expected to be fit for the first leg and that taking him off at Leeds had been "more precaution than anything".
But Albion also have several options to make changes in five days' time, having again started with captain Jed Wallace on the bench.
Post-match reaction
West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
"I knew we were playing against a very good team and that the more you attack the less you defend.
"In general we were better than them in the last 20 minutes of the first half and they were better in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
"A fair result, although it could have been 1-1 or 2-2 as both teams had chances.
"The atmosphere was great. The fans were excellent."
Southampton boss Russell Martin told BBC Radio Solent:
"I’m quite pleased with the result. It was a tight game against a good team in a brilliant atmosphere.
"I would have liked a clean sheet before the game so I’m happy with that. We had to defend well.
"We should have caused a few more problems for them but it isn’t easy.
"The risk outweighed the reward with Che Adams. He has only trained very little, mainly resting and recovering. We are really positive about Friday. Hopefully he’ll be back involved."
