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.
Norwich and Leeds fought out a tense, cagey, goalless draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
Neither side fashioned many scoring chances at Carrow Road and the place in the Wembley final on 26 May will be decided in the second leg at Elland Road on Thursday.
Both teams limped into the play-offs, with Norwich winning just two of their final seven league games to scrape into sixth while Leeds managed just two wins in eight to blow their chances of going up automatically.
That poor form was reflected in a cautious approach by both sides with the Canaries’ Gabriel Sara and Leeds’ Sam Byram fluffing the two best chances in a game of few scoring opportunities.
Leeds’ poor form forced manager Daniel Farke into an unexpected change with Archie Gray replacing striker Joel Piroe, meaning a forward role for Georginio Rutter, while Jonathan Rowe boosted Norwich with his first start since January following injury problems.
With a glut of attacking talent on display, neither side seriously tested the opposition goalkeeper, with a safety-first approach evident.
Sources – West Brom Albion 0-0 Southampton: Saints battle to first-leg draw – BBC Sport
Sources – Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United: Championship – BBC Sport
