Blues' first venture into Europe for half a century ended in a profitable goalless draw in the first-leg of a compelling Europa League play-off against CD Nacional.

The visitors dominated large periods of the game and were left cursing their luck after striking the woodwork on three occasions while restricting the hosts to few chances.

More than 600 Blues fans made the trip to the small island of Madeira, situated 600 miles South-West of Portugal, and immediately made themselves heard in the misty surroundings of the rather modest Estadio Da Madeira.

Chris Hughton gave summer signing Jonathan Spector his debut in an experimental line-up which was more forced than planned after minor knocks to Keith Fahey, Morgaro Gomis and Scott Dann added to youngster Jordon Mutch's ankle injury.

Nacional, who finished sixth in the Portuguese top-flight to qualify for the Europa League, had already seen off FH Hafnarfjordur of Iceland and Swedish side Hacken in earlier qualifying rounds.

The home side almost stunned Blues with an early opener but a magnificent last-ditch tackle from Curtis Davies prevent Mateus from scoring after the tricky Angolan winger had skipped clear of challenges from Liam Ridgwell and Steven Caldwell.

In Chris Burke, Blues have their own skilful wideman and he was first to test Nacional goalkeeper Elisson with a left-footed drive from the edge of the area which the Brazilian comfortably gathered.

Both Burke and young Nathan Redmond, making his first start of the campaign following an impressive pre-season, were looking dangerous on either flank while Ridgewell's position in front of the back-four allowed Beausejour to support lone frontman Chris Wood.

However, a marauding run down the right from Davies almost led to the opening goal. Having broken clear of Nuno Pinto, the centre-back sent the ball invitingly across goal only for Elisson to claw the ball away from danger.

There was nothing the goalkeeper could do from the resultant corner, though, as Caldwell sent a downward header crashing back off the post after meeting Beausejour's delivery at the back-stick.

It was a close shave for Nacional, who responded with a shot from Mario Rondon which fizzed across goal before a glancing header from Luis Alberto also flashed wide.

Blues continued to look good on the break and went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock again two minutes before half-time when Wood fired against the crossbar after Elisson flapped at another dangerous corner from Beausejour.

The second-half picked up where the first left off - with Wood hitting the post. The on-loan New Zealand striker was left cursing his luck after rising to meet Burke's cross, this time with a looping header, which left Elisson rooted to the spot before bouncing to safety.

And while Elisson did well to push away a low drive from Redmond, his indecisiveness from set-piece deliveries was almost exploited again moments later when he allowed a header from Caldwell to trickle narrowly wide after the ball emerged through a crowd of players.

Substitute Diego carried Nacional's most noteworthy attacking threat and almost got lucky with a shot from the edge of the area which took a deflection off Davies, wrong footing Boaz Myhill in the process, before flying wide of goal.

Joao Aurelio could count himself rather fortunate when Serbian referee Milorad Mazic only brandished a yellow card in the full-back's direction after hauling back Wood with the striker through on goal on the hour.

A scuffed cross from Burke then almost found the far corner and Curtis Davies headed over from six yards before Diego and Beausejour squandered opportunities from free-kicks at each end of the pitch late on to leave the tie wide open when the two teams meet again at St Andrew's next week.

CD Nacional (4-3-3): Elisson; Joao Aurelio, Felipe Lopes, Danielson, Nuno Pinto; Rene Mihelic (Diego, 46), Luis Alberto, Dejan Skolnik (Elizeu, 46); Edgar Costa (Daniel Candeias, 69), Mario Rondon, Mateus.

Subs (Not Used): Marcelo Valverde, Ivan Todorovic, Oliver Minatel, Neto.

Goals: None
Booked: Joao Aurelio (foul)

Blues (4-1-4-1): Boaz Myhill; Stephen Carr (c), Curtis Davies, Steven Caldwell, David Murphy; Liam Ridgewell; Chris Burke, Jonathan Spector, Jean Beausejour, Nathan Redmond; Chris Wood.

Subs (Not Used): Colin Doyle, Adam Rooney, Keith Fahey, Enric Valles, Akwasi Asante, Jake Jervis, Luke Hubbins.

Goals: None
Booked: Beausejour (foul), Ridgewell (dissent), Carr (foul)

Pictures by Roy Smiljanic