HULL City touch back down on English shores today with neither a win nor a goal to show from their Algarve adventure.
A 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday was followed by the exact same outcome against SC Braga back at the Estadio Municipal De Albufeira last night, but manager Steve Bruce heads home convinced their exertions have been worthwhile.
With three and a half weeks until the Premier League season begins at Chelsea, City are building up a healthy glow.
The goals have been conspicuous by their absence but a commendable draw with Braga last night brought another step forward.
Eldin Jakupovic was City's star, three times pulling off classy saves, but a well-drilled defensive effort offered promise heading to Stamford Bridge on August 18.
The goals, and the chances for that matter, are still being sought but Bruce takes heart from his squad's quickening pace.
"It's been eight days here and we've worked the players ever so hard," said Bruce.
"Everyone thinks it's glamorous out here but we've been at it morning and afternoon. There's a few tired bodies, let me tell you.
"They're such a good bunch, they're a delight. We'll go home a much fitter side for this week, I'm sure of that."
The eighth and final night of City's stint on the Algarve brought the toughest evening on tour and arguably of all pre-season.
Up against a Braga side that will play Europa League football this season after finishing fourth in the Portuguese top flight last term, every inch of the Tigers' sharpened fitness levels was needed to contain their respected opponents.
Conscious of the demands, Bruce included only five of the side that started against Sheffield Wednesday three days earlier.
That meant a first start for new loan signing Danny Graham, as well as a potentially final chance for trialist Daylon Claasen.
The obvious threat of Braga was evident inside the opening minutes and Abdoulaye Faye proved sinner and saint.
Misjudging the flight of the ball to let in powerful centre forward Edinho, the Tigers centre-back recovered brilliantly to block the shot of the overlapping Ruben Micael inside the penalty area.
Pardo was next to spurn a good chance for Braga when lashing over Miljkovic's deep cross but City, clever in passages, were handling their opponents with due care.
Braga, four weeks ahead of the Tigers in their own pre-season schedule, kept on pressing and only a wonderful save from Eldin Jakupovic saw parity retained.
A crisp free-kick from Salvador from the left of the City box appeared destined for the top corner before Jakupovic thrust a hand in its direction to tip clear.
From the resulting free-kick there was further concern.
A burst from Miljkovic took him to the byline before Paul McShane cleared a low cross from inside his own six yard box.
City supporters, with numbers depleted from the weekend game against the Owls, were offered little in the way of attacking life from their side. Claasen showed poise on the ball and Graham led the line strongly, but it was the Tigers' rearguard, most notably Jakupovic, that impressed most.
Another strong save from the goalkeeper kept out Edinho before McShane's bravery cleared the lines. A protective headband was the
defender's trophy.
Salvador was again thwarted by Jakupovic from a dipping free-kick but City turned around at the break without mustering a single effort of their own.
A dangerous free-kick, won by the marauding Joe Dudgeon, was as promising as it got in first-half stoppage time.
The inevitable changes came at the break. Although Braga changed their entire XI, Bruce was conservative in comparison with just three alterations.
Sone Aluko was in amongst the newcomers and he thought he should have won a penalty within minutes.
The neat foot-work of Claasen delivered space for his team-mate but there would be whistle when Aluko went tumbling.
On a night punctuated by the softest of calls, it appeared a dubious decision.
There was no questioning City's improvements in the second period.
Much was owed to the invention of the sharp Aluko and the opening goal should have come for the Tigers on the hour mark.
A deflected shot from the edge of the box fell kindly to Graham but his hooked attempt lacked power.
There was still opportunity for the Jakupovic show to be revived.
City were cut apart by a quick Braga break and the busier goalkeeper was strong once more when saving at the feet of Yazalde. The changes continued for City and there was late promise down the flanks through Ahmed Elmohamady and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin.
Both wing-backs galloped into good areas but crosses evaded the gathered attackers.
The final passages of the fixture, played out against a backdrop of 1990s Boothferry Park terrace anthems, fizzled out before supporters' eyes and City had to settle for another goalless draw. Repeat that at Chelsea, though, and there will be no complaints.City: Eldin Jakupovic, Alex Bruce (Calaum Jahraldo-Martin 78), Paul McShane, Abdoulaye Faye (Curtis Davies 46), Ahmed Elmohamady, Joe Dudgeon (Liam Rosenior 46), David Meyler (Robert Koren 59), George Boyd (Tom Cairney 59), Daylon Claasen (Conor Townsend 68), Danny Graham (Nick Proschwitz 66), Matty Fryatt (Sone Aluko 46) Subs: Steve Harper, Corry Evans
