Fulham secure goal-less draw

After spending 17 hours on a bus, Roy Hodgson parked it right in front of the Fulham goal as the Cottagers' Europa League magical mystery tour took them within sight of a grand finale back here in Hamburg next month.

Although their German opponents dominated possession at the Nordbank Arena, they never really looked like breaking through until a late flurry.

The two sides will reconvene in a week's time at Craven Cottage with Roy Hodgson's men hopeful of getting the win that would seal a first European final.

There is still work to do of course, and Ruud van Nistelrooy must be kept quiet by a defence that will lack the suspended Chris Baird, but there was enough evidence to suggest Fulham's 18th match in a European campaign that began in Lithuania nine months ago will not be their last.

Fulham's Mark Schwarzer goalkeeper was largely underemployed due to the efforts of a watertight defence, marshalled superbly by Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland, and the screening midfield talents of Danny Murphy.