PORTSMOUTH 0, UNITED 0

Portsmouth: Henderson, Rocha, Ben-Haim, Pearce, Ward, Mokoena, Mullins, Halford, Thorne, Allan (Norris 76), Futacs (Benjani 76). Subs: Webster, Ashdown, Harris.

United: Lonergan, Bruce (Bromby 11), Lees, O'Dea, Pugh, Snodgrass, Brown, Clayton, White, McCormack, Becchio. Subs: Paynter, Forssell, Sam, Thompson.

Referee: P Gibbs

Booked: O'Dea, Brown (Leeds)

Att: 17571

New United manager Neil Warnock made just one change to his first starting line-up with Michael Brown replacing the departing Andros Townsend. The new boss also made another slight change with Robert Snodgrass taking over the captain's armband.

It was an attacking line-up from United with Snodgrass playing in an advanced role and Aidy White lining up in front of Alex Bruce on the right side for the first time in his Leeds career.

Andy Lonergan was the first goalkeeper to be called into action, saving one header and pushing another strike of over the top. But of more pressing concern was an early re-shuffle that saw Bruce substituted after picking up a knock to be replaced by Leigh Bromby.

United's first real attempt on goal came on 15 minutes when Snodgrass had a free-kick deflected for a corner. From the set piece, Darren O'Dea flicked a low shot shot into the side-netting.

When Portsmouth attacked again, Hayden Mulins had a powerful strike deflected for a corner, but United responded immediately and won another corner courtesy of some poor defending by the hosts.

Pompey skipper Jason Pearce was next to go close when he should have done better with a free header from close range, following a corner. And United had some more defending to do after Lonergan clawed away a corner, but when George Thorne looked to get the ball back into the box he screwed his effort wide of the upright.

Portsmouth's biggest threat was coming from set-plays, and the hosts picked up a share of free-kicks in the final third during the first half. O'Dea picked up a yellow for conceding one four minutes before the break.

But, as the clock ticked down towards half-time, Pompey goalkeeper Stephen Hednderson had to get down well to deny White, turning his shot around the post.

The home side ended the half on the front foot, and referee Mr Gibbs was booed from the field after rejecting appeals for a penalty in stoppage time.

The hosts also started the second half in positive fashion, but it was Leeds who had the ball in the net first. A Ross McCormack stinger bounced back off the underside of the bar and Snodgrass made sure - but an offside flag was raised.

And shortly before the hour, Luciano Becchio was denied by Henderson in a one-on-one after the striker beat the offside trap to collect a lovely ball from Adam Clayton.

United were enjoying the best spell so far, and Bromby was next to be denied by Henderson after he tried to steer a ste-play around the goalkeeper from close range.

When United came forward again Clayton was crowded out as he looked to the lay ball off, and Leeds were starting to apply some real pressure for the first time in the game.

But it was Lonergan who made an excellent save on 67 minutes to deny Thorne with a thumping strike. andf Scott Allen sent a free-kick just wide of the mark as the game entered its final quarter.

The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides looking to press, but with five minutes left Portsmouth argued that they should have a goal allowed after a Greg Halford throw-in appeared to go straight into the net without touching another player.

Three minutes were added to the end of the 90, and Henderson had to collect one O'Dea header after throw-in and Brown hooked a volley over the top after the hosts half-cleared a ball into the box.

And that proved to be the final action of the game as the Warnock era kicked off with a 0-0 draw, and a clean sheet.