HULL City were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Sheffield Wednesday this evening as the first leg of the Tigers' Portugal double-header sounded a flat note.
Although Steve Bruce's men edged proceedings, a tepid friendly encounter rarely found the creativity to quicken the pulse at the Estadio Municipal De Albufeira.
Wednesday came closest to a goal late in the first half when City needed Alex Bruce to produce a goal-line clearance to prevent Jermaine Johnson from opening the scoring, but the Tigers were later denied a clear opportunity after the break when Matty Fryatt was clumsily tripped by Kamil Zayatte.
City could not muster the chances their possession warranted and only Robert Koren managed a genuine shot on target.
The fixture was given its greatest significance by the first appearance of new signing Danny Graham. Little more than 24 hours after arriving on loan from Sunderland, the striker enjoyed a sharp 30-minute cameo.
In the main it was a typically pedestrian pre-season contest. Although City showed glimpses of invention during the first half, only Koren's fierce shot from a tight angle called Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland into action.
Robbie Brady worked an opening on the edge of the box when exchanging passes with George Boyd but fired hopelessly over.
The best chance of the opening period belonged to the Owls. A well-worked opportunity saw Johnson break the defensive line and round Allan McGregor but Bruce covered well to clear off the line.
Trialist Daylon Claasen replaced Brady in the role of left wing-back for the second half, looking sharp and at ease, and City felt they were denied a clear chance 10 minutes after the break.
Boyd's sumptuous ball over the top set Fryatt free only to be tripped by ex-Tiger Zayatte when shaping to shoot. Fryatt was incredulous when his justified appeals for a free kick were waved away.
The 250 or so City fans who had headed out to the Algarve were at least treated to a first glimpse of new boy Graham, introduced for the final 30 minutes.
Partnering fellow substitute Sone Aluko in attack, the on-loan striker quickly enjoyed a half-chance when heading Conor Townsend's deep cross at goal. His effort under pressure, however, lacked pace and direction.
Neither side could muster a goal and City's travelling contingent will hope for a livelier contest when Bruce's men face SC Braga on Tuesday.Hull City: Allan McGregor, James Chester (Liam Rosenior 46), Curtis Davies, Alex Bruce (Paul McShane), Ahmed Elmohamady (Joe Dudgeon 72), Robbie Brady (Daylon Claasen 46), David Meyler (Nick Proschwitz 79), Tom Cairney (Callum Jahraldo-Martin 84), Robert Koren (Sone Aluko 60), George Boyd (Conor Townsend 60), Matty Fryatt (Danny Graham 60)Subs not used: Eldin Jakupovic, Steve Harper, Abdoulaye Faye• Steve Bruce has admitted his interest in Yannick Sagbo. He says two clubs are in talks over the Evian striker and is "hopeful" something can be done.
