The Clarets now stand just five points off the play-off zone with the advantage of a couple of games in hand.
While his team had played much better this season, manager Steve Cotterill was pleased with the character and the resilience on show against a Reading side without a goal in the league since Boxing Day.
Burnley were under pressure, particular in the second half, and had a lucky let-off when a free-kick from Bobby Convey beat Brian Jensen but bounced back of the crossbar.
Jensen also made a good save from Convey and a couple of brave blocks as Reading went in search of their first win in five outings.
The visitors should have had a penalty earlier on when home defender Mo Camara clearly handled in the box following a corner from Convey.
Burnley's attacking play was indifferent but they did have one glorious chance on the stroke of half-time.
Frank Sinclair's right-wing cross was headed forward by Tony Grant but the onrushing Graham Branch somehow managed to blaze his shot over the bar from four yards.
Burnley's best attempt on goal came in the closing seconds when a curling effort from substitute Jean Louis Valois dropped inches the wrong side of the post.
Burnley's notorious pitch made good football nigh on impossible with all the players struggling to cope with it and the added problem of the swirling wind.
It is doubtful if any watching scouts from Liverpool will have too many sleepless nights ahead of Tuesday's FA Cup third round date at Turf Moor.
The biggest problem for Liverpool could be the pitch.