Late pressure from Everton did not pay off as they played out a 0-0 draw with Wolves at Molineux.
Everton fail to convert chances at Molineux
Wolves secured another vital point in their fight to beat the Premier League drop as Everton came up short in a goalless contest at Molineux.
The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock in an evenly contested first half as Leon Osman was denied by Marcus Hahnemann early on after a flowing move.
After Wolves had enjoyed an encouraging spell, Louis Saha almost hit the back of the net but his long-range effort rattled the crossbar and deflected over.
Saha went close again after the break but Jody Craddock did just enough to put him off as the French striker tried to divert a cross goalbound.
But Everton could not make the breakthrough and Craddock cleared a Tim Cahill effort off the line in the dying stages as Wolves hung on for a point.
The result leaves Mick McCarthy's side five points clear of the drop zone with six matches still to play.
The Toffees were without midfield talisman Mikel Arteta after the Spaniard was left out following a minor groin strain.
Change
Jack Rodwell took his place in the only change made by either side after impressive midweek wins.
Everton were coming off the back of a victory over Champions League-chasing Manchester City while Wolves eased their relegation fears with an emphatic win at West Ham.
Wolves appeared to start enthusiastically with Kevin Foley breaking into the area on the right but Matt Jarvis side-footed his cross wide and Everton soon took control.
Osman squandered the first of three good chances in quick succession with five minutes gone.
Steven Pienaar played a one-two with Saha and then picked out Osman with a square ball across goal but the midfielder failed to make firm contact and Hahnemann saved.
Another opportunity was presented for Osman after Wolves failed to clear a John Heitinga throw-in but the Everton midfielder shot wide.
Saha also shot tamely at Hahnemann after Pienaar let a Phil Neville cross run and Osman had a third effort deflected into the goalkeeper's arms.
Threat
Wolves showed some attacking threat as David Jones made a dangerous run into the box and Zubar fluffed a header from a Foley cross.
Leighton Baines tried to test Hahnemann from distance after an Osman cross was headed out by Michael Mancienne but the American saved comfortably.
Everton's top scorer Saha showed brilliant control to chest down a long ball from Sylvain Distin and turn to shoot but his fierce 20-yard drive clipped the crossbar and went over.
Wolves had two chances before the break but Jody Craddock shot well over and Jones curled an errant free-kick straight at Tim Howard.
Osman picked out Saha with a superb cross early in the second half after Heitinga had seized upon a loose ball but Craddock just did enough to prevent the Frenchman directing his header toward goal.
Baines tried his luck from a free-kick at the edge of the box but his shot was deflected for a corner off the wall and Tim Cahill headed wide from the resulting cross.
Wolves created an opening when a Foley throw made its way to Jarvis but he fired wildly into the stands.
Chances
The hosts then pieced together a nice move but Foley curled an effort over after being teed up by Jones in the area.
Zubar had an even better chance after combining well with Kevin Doyle on the right and cutting inside Heitinga but he blazed over when aiming for the top corner.
Chances continued to be created at either end with Pienaar twice getting into good positions for Everton but first was thwarted by a deflection and then miskicked.
Wolves substitute Adlene Guedioura attempted a spectacular overhead kick but missed the target.
Zubar then found himself in good space in the box but was unable to beat Heitinga and an almighty scramble in the box ended with Doyle shooting over.
Everton substitute Dan Gosling almost had a chance to snatch victory for the visitors in the last minute but Hahnemann bravely claimed the ball at his feet and Gosling was hurt in the collision
Cahill then twisted himself to get a shot past Hahnemann but Craddock slid in to knock the ball round the post.
