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The first strong challenge came in the opening minute, and ended debutant Mark Lynch's involvement for the day. The right-back shepherded the ball out for a throw-in, and after it did he received a kick from QPR centre forward Paul Furlong that sent him flying into touch. He required a stretcher to take him away as Damien Delaney came on to replace him, but Furlong got away with it as referee Dermot Gallagher resumed play with the throw-in.
QPR had a few reasonable chances they failed to make more of. Tommy Doherty put a shot from the edge of the area over, Kevin Gallen shot wide after receiving a ball over the top that Delaney couldn't deal with, and Furlong also missed to the pleasure of the home fans, who had been on his back since his controversial challenge on Lynch. The City defence were under some pressure, but played it safe to deal with it.
City also had a couple of sights of goal themselves in the first half. The linesman flagged when Steve McPhee redirected a shot onto the bar, and saw the ball deflected just wide after it was pulled back by Ryan France on the byline.
The second half was also a physical affair with few clearcut chances. Referee Gallagher did get his cards out at last though, with Lee Cook and Georges Santos both booked for QPR within the first 6 minutes of the half.
Leon Cort had a header saved and Andy Dawson could only go wide with a free kick from a good position, but that was about as close as City came to testing Simon Royce.
Boaz Myhill - carrying a knock from a first half challenge from Furlong - made the best save of the match, diving to his left to turn Keith Rowlands' long range shot round the post.
Nick Barmby was taken off for Craig Fagan in the 65th minute, and the striker was fired up as soon as he came on. His energy was causing the QPR defence, tired by their physical approach, problems, as well as being involved in a few incidents which eventually resulted in an 85th minute yellow card.
The 0-0 scoreline was a fair result for both sides, who will be pleased to have got clean sheets on the opening day.
City line-up (4-4-2): Boaz Myhill; Mark Lynch (Damien Delaney 4 mins), Leon Cort, Danny Coles, Andy Dawson; Ryan France (Jason Price 78 mins), Stuart Green, Ian Ashbee, Stuart Elliott; Nick Barmby (Craig Fagan 65 mins), Steve McPhee.
Un-used subs: Sergio Leite, Keith Andrews.