Second-placed Bristol City were left to rue a lacklustre display as Coca-Cola Championship play-off hopefuls Wolves claimed a deserved 0-0 draw at Ashton Gate.

Ivan Sproule, Michael Gray and Matt Jarvis all came close to breaking the deadlock during a tepid encounter as noteworthy chances were at premium for both teams.

Gray could have put Wolves ahead inside the opening minute and Jarvis was denied shortly before half-time as Robins goalkeeper Adriano Basso produced several smart saves throughout.

Sproule spurned the home side's best chance of reclaiming top spot from West Brom in the second half as the pressure of a concerted promotion push appears to be taking its toll on Gary Johnson's side.

The Robins have now won just one of their last eight games but still remain in the hunt for automatic promotion, while Wolves are seventh.

City striker Steve Brooker made his first start of the season and midfielder Sproule earned a recall to Johnson's side, while Darron Gibson replaced the injured Karl Henry in the Wolves midfield.

The visitors were unfortunate not to take the lead with barely 40 seconds played as Jamie McCombe lost possession and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake pounced before allowing Gray to fire goalwards from 12 yards, but Basso saved well.

Seyi George Olofinjana hit a 25-yard volley wide after six minutes as the visitors continued to look threatening, while Wayne Hennessey denied Darren Byfield from similar range at the other end.

With plenty at stake for both teams, it was no surprise chances were at a premium in a cagey opening 30 minutes although Jarvis will know he should have at least hit the target after losing his marker on the edge of the penalty area.

Just after the half hour, Basso acrobatically tipped Jarvis' rasping left-foot drive behind and Gray blazed the resulting corner over as a low-key first half petered out.

Marvin Elliott had a tame header saved by Hennessey five minutes into the second period and Olofinjana curled wide right-footed from 20 yards as the game threatened to burst into life.

The lively Jarvis continued to cause the home side problems and had a goal-bound shot blocked by McCombe before Darren Byfield drilled a low shot off target from 18 yards.

Hennessey then parried well to keep out Sproule's angled drive and reacted quickly to collect the resulting corner as a cluster of Wolves players prepared to pounce.

Andrew Keogh was the next to test Basso from 25 yards but the Brazilian palmed the ball behind for a corner and was then on hand to keep out Neill Collins' close-range header with 21 minutes remaining.

City spurned two decent goal-scoring chances in as many minutes shortly afterwards as neither Elliott or Brooker could find a way past Hennessey while George Elokobi missed from close range for Wolves late on.

Teams

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Carey, McCombe,McAllister (Fontaine 82), Sproule (Carle 85), Skuse, Elliott,McIndoe, Brooker, Byfield (Adebola 84).

Subs Not Used: Weale, Trundle.

Booked: Orr.

Wolverhampton Hennessey, Foley, Craddock, Collins, Elokobi,Jarvis, Gibson, Olofinjana, Gray (Eastwood 76), Keogh,Ebanks-Blake.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Breen, Potter, Kyle.

Booked: Olofinjana.

Att: 19,332

Ref: Paul Taylor (Hertfordshire).