Barcelona saw their Primera Liga lead cut to a solitary point by Real Madrid as they were held to a goalless draw by Valencia.
Pablo Hernandez went close from his own half and strike partner Juan Mata missed a host of chances, while David Silva was denied by Victor Valdes from the best opportunity of the match.
Rodriguez Pedrito and Yaya Toure threatened for Barca, but they will be happy to take a share of the spoils and remain a point ahead of arch-rivals Madrid, ! who beat Real Valladolid 4-2.
Valencia started brightly and Pablo Hernandez broke clear but finished poorly and allowed keeper Victor Valdes to make a brave save, before the same player's corner was headed over by Juan Mata.
Dani Alves shot wide from long range and thumped a free-kick straight into the wall either side of a shot by left-footed Luis Miguel from the left side of the penalty area which missed right.
Barca were carved open shortly after the half-hour mark and were grateful when Mata ballooned his shot yards over the bar after being picked out by David Silva's low cross.
Mata was struggling in front of goal and failed, admittedly under strong pressure from Carles Puyol, to control full-back Saltor Bruno's lofted through-ball.
Cesar Sanchez was quickly off his line to prevent Andres Iniesta latching on to Dani Alves' well weighted pass and Xavi hit another free-kick into the wall as the half ended goalless.
Lionel Messi t! hreatened shortly after the restart as a volley on his weaker ! right fo ot flashed wide, before Mata headed Jeremy Mathieu's cross wide of the post.
Messi drew a good save from Cesar with a 25-yard curler, back on his favoured left side, and Xavi shot wide from just outside the box.
Rodriguez Pedrito then had Barca's best chance to date when the ball broke to him in the box with keeper Cesar out of position. Faced with a crowd of defenders, though, he saw his shot on the turn deflected wide by David Navarro.
Mathieu shot wide for Valencia, who then brought the best out of Valdes twice in quick succession.
First Pablo launched an outrageous lob from the halfway line which the keeper had to scramble to tip over, and then Mathieu's cross picked out Silva, who was denied by Valdes from point-blank range.
Yaya Toure was almost gifted a late winner as his low shot was fumbled by Cesar, the veteran scrambling to recover the loose ball before holding up a casual hand of acknowledgement to placate the fans behind the go! al, whose hearts had been in their mouths.
But it remained goalless, with the hosts remaining fifth and two points ahead of Real Mallorca.
