Wimbledon v Everton 13/04/98 3.00

Wimbledon               (0) 0 Everton                 (0) 0 FT

Everton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre earned the FA Carling Premiership strugglers a valuable point towards their battle against relegation as they ground out a goalless draw against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.

Everton, in 15th place and just three points above the relegation zone before the start of play, needed a victory to give their chances of staying up another huge boost after Saturday's 2-0 success over Leeds.

But a hard-earned point in a largely lifeless game has done their chances of playing Premiership football next season no harm at all, with Dons goalkeeper Neil Sullivan also having to pull off a couple of important saves on the few occasions when the game was jump-started into action.

Myhre's best save came in only the second minute when he somehow managed to block Dean Blackwell's powerful header from point-blank range after the defender had risen to meet Neil Ardley's corner, and the ball was booted out of play.

He also had to be on his toes late on when Dons substitute Andy Clarke twisted and turned before playing a one-two with Michael Hughes and firing a shot just inside the near post - only for the Norwegian goalkeeper to tip it around the upright.

On 22 minutes, Scottish international Sullivan had to match Myhre's heroics to first parry Mickael Madar's header from Don Hutchison's corner and then block a follow-up effort from Craig Short before the Dons somehow scrambled the ball clear in the ensuing melee.

Apart from those saves, there was little to quicken the pulse, with Wimbledon, who had failed to score in their previous two home games, as always a threat in the air but lacking direction on the ground as they tried to reach the promised land of 43 points with a win.

Centre-backs Carl Tiler and Short were coping admirably with the crosses and long balls launched at them to justify manager Howard Kendall's decision to leave Slaven Bilic on the bench on his comeback from suspension.

After the break, although the standard of football showed few signs of improvement, at least both sides slightly raised the tempo.

Sullivan got down well to save a shot from Duncan Ferguson from the edge of the penalty area after the Scottish centre-forward had run on to Madar's pass.

When Carl Leaburn flicked on a long ball he set Ceri Hughes, back in the side after nearly three months out, free into the penalty area - but the midfielder pulled his shot wide of the far post.

Everton made a double substitution on 66 minutes, bringing John Spencer and Gareth Farrelly on for Peter Beagrie and Madar, while the Dons threw on Clarke for Leaburn and Jason Euell for Ceri Hughes.

Nick Barmby volleyed just wide soon afterwards; Clarke was almost as near with a stinging shot at the other end after turning the Everton defence, and Alan Kimble also tried his luck from long range - but Myhre's handling was safe.

That was more than could be said for Sullivan with just nine minutes left, as he spilled a shot from Gavin McCann but was relieved to see Chris Perry rush back to clear as Spencer threatened before Ferguson fired over when the ball came back into the box.

Wimbledon: Sullivan, Kimble, Blackwell, Thatcher, C. Hughes (Euell, 81), Roberts, Gayle, Perry, M. Hughes, Ardley, Leaburn (Clarke, 70).

Subs not used: Heald, McAllister, Francis.

Everton: Myhre, Madar (Farrelly, 66), Barmby (Oster, 86), Ferguson, Hutchison, Short, Beagrie (Spencer, 66), McCann, Tiler, Ball, O'Kane.

Subs not used: Gerrard, Bilic.

Booked: Madar.

Attendance: 15,131.

Referee: K W Burge (Tonypandy).