Malaga 0 Leeds United 0
Under-fire Leeds United boss Terry Venables bought himself a little extra breathing space here on Thursday when his faltering English Premiership side drew 0-0 with Malaga in their UEFA Cup third round, first leg clash.
Leeds went into the match having won just once in nine Premiership games - performances which had left them in 14th place in the table, just four points off the relegation zone and with angry fans calling for the head of the ex-England coach.
Furthermore, they went into the match missing nine regular first teamers including the influential Mark Viduka, Nicky Barmby and Robbie Fowler.
After a tight first half, it was veteran Panamanian striker Dely Valdes who had a golden chance in the 47th minute but Leeds keeper Paul Robinson did well to push away his eight-yard shot.
The Spanish side had the better of the second half and Edgar wasted another opportunity in the 75th minute when he raced away from his marker but could only shoot wide past Robinson's right post.
The late pressure came from the Spaniards, but the Leeds defence held firm against the onslaught and they will be confident of booking a last sixteen place in the return leg in two weeks' time.
Earlier, Leeds' controversial striker Alan Smith had been lucky to stay on the pitch after 36 minutes when, having already received a yellow card, he dived in feet-first on goalkeeper Pedro Contreras but escaped further censure by the referee.
It had been Smith who had looked the most dangerous Leeds striker and came closest to scoring earlier in the first half when his shot was saved by Contreras.