PERHAPS anticipating a repeat of the Wolves debacle at Morecambe, Sky television sent their cameras to St George's Lane last night in the hunt for more pre-season friendly mayhem.

But all Sky's cameraman had to show for his 90 minutes of footage was a good soaking as Queen's Park Rangers withstood a determined Worcester City to grind out a goalless draw.

All the pre-match talk had been of Ian Holloway sending a strong side to face City, but injuries intervened to leave a disappointingly unfamiliar line-up.

However, the Rangers XI on show, fresh from a week's training at an RAF camp, still provided a searching examination of John Barton's side, who acquitted themselves well, displaying some good fitness with patches of decent approach play.

There was much for Barton to consider, not least resurgent striker Mark Owen who again looked sharp, while new signing Leon Kelly illustrated he will be a handful for any defence.

Unfortunately for the pair, who started the first-half together, it's unlikely they will work in tandem too often. Both are cut from the same cloth with an eye solely for goal and in need of the guile and awareness of a Stewart Hadley or Adam Webster alongside them.

But, if one thing is sure with City, injuries will crop up, and both will have plenty of opportunities to stake a claim for the number nine shirt.

Elsewhere, full-back Paul Carty and midfielder Darren Middleton had excellent games, while centre-back Dan Parker, on as a first-half substitute for Jon Holloway who felt his groin tightening, earned praise from Barton.

"Dan came on and acquitted himself well, he's a decent defender which is what you want," said Barton.

"People like David Foy kept the ball well for us, Paul Carty did well and the pluses were there to see. It was a competitive, keenly contested affair but without many opportunities."

Danny McDonnell produced two good saves in either half while Adam Wilde flashed a volley just over before the break.

Hadley, in an improved showing from Monday night, showed good strength in the 77th minute to break clear but shot wide.