Both sides had opportunities to secure maximum points but found their touch in front of goal lacking before a solid first-day crowd of 16,227.

Sydney debutant Shannon Cole came closest to breaking the deadlock, sending his superb free kick crashing into Melbourne's left post with 21 minutes remaining

With the likes of John Aloisi, Tony Popovic and Alex Brosque watching from the stands, Sydney coach John Kosmina handed teenager striker Chris Payne and deadball specialist Cole their A-League debuts.

Understandably the hosts started nervously and were under the pump early.

Striker Ney Fabiano had a gilt-edged chance to put Victory ahead after five minutes, the Brazilian set free by a lovely through ball only to have his shot blocked by the advancing Clint Bolton.

Bolton was called on again four minutes later, denying Daniel Allsopp at the near post.

Carlos Hernandez should have done better with a 25th minute free kick from just outside the box, drilling his shot straight at Bolton.

The Sydney FC goal came under attack again five minutes later, Fabiano flicking his header into the path of Allsopp who motored down the right,

The big striker's ankle-high cross evaded Robbie Middleby and found Tom Pondeljak unmarked at the back post.

Pondeljak scuffed his shot, finding Fabiano in an offside position.

A minute later Melbourne's Rodrigo Vargas was booked for a piece of over-zealous defending.

Sydney was finding it hard to unlock the Victory defence, Adam Casey forced to fire from distance with no accuracy after 35 minutes.

The chances continued to fall at the other end, Jose Luis Lopez squandering a volleyed opportunity with the goal beckoning.

The second half started full of promise for Sydney, Payne and Simon Colosimo combining nicely on the edge of the box only for the latter to drag his effort wide after 57 minutes.

That was to be Payne's last contribution, the 17-year-old former State League player receiving a nice ovation from the crowd after being replaced by Mark Bridge on the hour.

Bridge almost undid the Victory defence with one of his first touches, splitting two defenders with a lovely ball for Casey to go one-on-one with Melbourne 'keeper Michael Theoklitos.

But Casey couldn't lift his shot over the Victory stopper and the chance went begging.

Minutes later Lopez was handed a yellow card after bringing down Sydney skipper Steve Corica on the edge of the box.

Cole showed why he is considered so deadly from set pieces, curling the ensuing free kick over the wall and into the left post with Theoklitos stranded.

Colosimo flirted with danger by bringing down Fabiano on the edge of the box and earning himself a yellow card with two minutes left.

Thankfully for Colosimo and Sydney, Hernandez's free kick went just wide and the stalemate was assured.