Newcastle kept their dreams of UEFA Cup glory alive despite potentially crippling injury crisis as the first-leg of their semi-final clash with Marseille ended in stalemate.
The Magpies might have taken a lead to France in a fortnight's time had it not been for the excellence of former Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who saved from Shola Ameobi and Alan Shearer either side of half-time.
However, opposite number Shay Given did equally well to keep out a 25th-minute effort by Didier Drogba, to also hit the post with a stinging 65th-minute volley.
Play continued to switch from end to end in rapid succession as both sides attempted to snatch victory, while all the time aware one slip at the other end could prove fatal.
Ameobi's shift ended on 78 minutes when he limped exhausted from the field to be replaced by Bridges, who immediately joined Shearer up front for a final push. The home fans were on their feet with 10 minutes remaining when Robert's free-kick caused havoc inside the Marseille penalty area, but neither O'Brien nor Speed could force the ball home in an untidy goalmouth scramble.
The alarm bells were ringing once again for the visitors six minutes from time when they made a mess of a Robert long throw and Speed hooked a shot just over. In a dramatic conclusion, Drogba smashed a left-foot drive inches over Given's bar with five minutes remaining and Bridges pulled a shot agonisingly past
Barthez's left post seconds later.
Drogba ensured a tense finish for the home side when he saw an 88th-minute shot deflected towards goal by O'Brien and then almost escaped from Woodgate in the dying seconds, but the teams were not to be separated on the night.
The second semi final between Villareal and Valencia also failed to produce a goal. The return leg games will be played on May the 6th.
Filed by Barry J Whyte
