Neither side could find the net in the opening half at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

© PA Photos

Early on it was visiting Queens Park Rangers who made most of the running but they were unable to test Asmir Begovic in the Potters goal.

Midway through the half, Jose Bosingwa made a strong run down the right and would have found Djibril Cisse to tap home but for the outstretched glove of Begovic.

Stoke came close to taking the lead 10 minutes before the break when Steven N'Zonzi stormed down the right-hand side and picked out Peter Crouch in the middle, but the England striker's effort was deflected just wide.

QPR could have nicked the lead just before the interval but Adel Taarabt wasted a counter-attack by attempting a chip that didn't come off.