Valencia hold Leeds

Leeds' Lee Bowyer battles for possession

Leeds United 0-0 Valencia

Leeds United's hopes of reaching the Champions League Final hang in the balance after a goal-less stalemate against Valencia at Elland Road.

Boss David O'Leary's young side had opportunities to secure a precious lead in the semi-final first leg with a vibrant second half performance that tested last year's beaten finalists to the limit.

But Valencia had chances of their own, and Leeds were grateful to two brilliant saves from England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn.

Leeds will take heart from keeping a clean sheet that still gives them real hope of progress in next week's second leg in Spain, with both sides were saved by the woodwork.

And Leeds will be boosted because Valencia will be without key players Ruben Baraja and Amedeo Carboni, who will be suspended after picking up bookings at Elland Road.

It was going to be tough, but we have played against very good side and upped the tempo in the second half

  Leeds United manager David O'Leary

Leeds once again showed they thoroughly deserve to have reached the latter stages of Europe's showpiece competition with another performance of maturity and power.

Leeds were driven on by a crackling Elland Road atmosphere - but it was Valencia who created the better first half opportunities.

Ian Harte gave Leeds hope in the third minute with a trademark long range shot that was turned over by Valencia keeper Canizares.

But it was opposite number Martyn who took the honours with two brilliant first half saves.

He denied Arsenal's quarter-final conqueror John Carew with a brilliant diving save to his left from an acrobatic overhead kick after a cross from Juan Sanchez.

Viduka challenges Pellegrino

Martyn was powerless when Gaizka Mendieta put a header on target after 17 minutes, but he watched with relief as it rebounded to safety off the crossbar.

Leeds finally created a chance of their own seven minutes before half time when Harte's free-kick was headed across the face of goal by Harry Kewell.

Rio Ferdinand had the first telling touch, but Alan Smith somehow diverted the final header wide from only two yards.

Valencia had the final say of a high-quality first half when Ferdinand's poor header was picked up by Sanchez, who forced another fine diving save from Martyn.

Leeds started the second half intent on putting pressure on the experienced Valencia rearguard.

And it took a brilliant one-handed clawing save off the line from Canizares to stop Dominic Matteo scoring with another goalmouth header.

Carew beats Mills

Leeds appealed that the ball had crossed the line, but Italian referee Pierluigi Collina waved away the protests.

O'Leary's side had Valencia rocking - and Bowyer was agonisingly denied by the woodwork after 69 minutes.

Smith's chip left Canizares stranded, and when Viduka failed to make contact inside the six-yard area Bowyer looked certain to score only to head against the bar with the goalkeeper out of position.

Leeds had shown the maturity they have demonstrated throughout their Champions League campaign to force Valencia - last year's beaten finalists - on to the defensive.

The lively Smith tested Canizares again with 11 minutes left with an instant right foot volley, but the experienced Valencia keeper was reliable once more.

Norwegian Carew wasted a great chance with four minutes left when he could only apply a half-hearted finish to Mendieta's cross.

But Leeds responded almost immediately and Smith headed over the top when well-placed from Danny Mills' cross.

Valancia almost snatched a win deep into injury time, but Ferdinand headed off the line from substitute Vicente.

It ended honours even - the right result that leaves Leeds still harbouring hopes of reaching the final.

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Leeds United: Martyn, Mills, Harte, Ferdinand, Matteo, Bowyer, Dacourt, Batty, Kewell, Viduka, Smith. Subs: Robinson, Kelly, Woodgate, McPhail, Wilcox, Bakke, Burns.

Valencia: Canizares, Angloma, Pellegrino, Ayala, Carboni, Albelda, Baraja, Mendieta, Kily Gonzalez, Sanchez, Carew. Subs: Palop, Deschamps, Djukic, Zahovic, Vicente, Aimar, Aurelio.

Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Lucca)