Chamberlain stretches to shut out hungry Wolves

Wolves and Watford have repeatedly illuminated the FA Cup on behalf of the Nationwide League this season. Alas, last night's clash of the two quarter-finalists in pursuit of First Division points produced an altogether more mundane outcome at Molineux.

For the first time in 14 matches, the Midlanders failed to score and so had their momentum checked following a reviving run of seven wins in nine games.

The disappointing deadlock suited Watford much better. They have scored only 10 times on their First Division travels, so a hard-earned point was not to be sniffed at.

"We were two cavalier earlier this season and had to tighten things up,'' their manager, Ray Lewington, said. "We have been in the top 10 virtually all season and still have a shout for the play-offs.''

Wolves were often laboured but they crafted decent openings with occasional moments of quality. Three successive victories had given them good impetus but this was the night when the goals dried up for Kenny Miller and George Ndah.

Miller scooped his best chance over from his strike partner's brilliant delivery and Mark Kennedy curled a shot narrowly wide from the substitute Keith Andrews' excellent cross-field pass.

Ndah, for his part, held off Neil Cox and brought a vital first-half block from the out-rushing Alec Chamberlain, who also did well to twice deny Colin Cameron.

With a Lee Naylor centre dropping on to the bar, Wolves had enough worthy attempts to have won and their manager, Dave Jones, could not be accused of understating his team's efforts. "I thought the lads were absolutely magnificent,'' he said. "I cannot ask for blood but they gave me energy and endeavour. They all ran themselves into the ground.

"We just needed a goal to give us another gear because we have had a heavy programme and some of the players were shattered during the game.''

Wolves climbed one place to fifth with this result but have already this season crossed the line separating sixth and seventh places no fewer than nine times.

Their captain, Paul Ince, was a casualty of this frustrating evening; only his pride appearied to be hurt when he suffered the rare indignity of being substituted in the 53rd minute.

Watford were content to contain for much of the game but had glimpses of goal with Allan Nielsen outwitting Denis Irwin to bring a near-post stop from Matt Murray in the first half and their midfielder Paolo Vernazza demanding a fine full-length save from the young goalkeeper late on.

Jones injected more youth into his side by sending on Adam Proudlock in place of Alex Rae and Wolves came within inches of a breakthrough when Ndah circled a superb ball round the final Watford defender for Miller to take it in his stride, only to sidefoot just over.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (4-4-2): Murray; Irwin, Butler, Lescott, Naylor; Rae (Proudlock 61), Ince (Andrews 53), Cameron, Kennedy; Miller, Ndah (Sturridge 82). Substitutes not used: Oakes (gk), Edworthy.

Watford (4-4-2): Chamberlain; Ardley, Cox, Gayle, Glass; Mahon, Vernazza, Hyde, Nielsen; Noel-Williams (Norville 86), Helguson. Substitutes not used: Brown, Doyley, Hand, Lee (gk).

Referee: A Kaye (W Yorkshire).