The match began with a sustained period of pressure from the home side that showed the impact Stan Ternent has had on the Gillingham dressing-room, but despite their pressure his team failed to create any clear cut opportunities.
Reading, who began the game in fourth place struggled to get their passing game going early on, but as the half wore on they began to exert more pressure with Andy Hughes going close.
Moments later Nyron Nosworthy produced the only shot on target of the first half when his 30-yard effort was easily saved by Marcus Hahnemann.
The second half began with rain sweeping across the Priestfield Stadium but Gillingham came out in determined mood. Two early corners with a result of some good approach play, but Ian Cox was unlucky to head wide from Nicky Southall's excellent delivery.
Reading then came back into the game as Steve Sidwell and Glen Little began to link up and in the 75th minute substitute Dean Morgan did well to set up Little, whose header was saved by Steve Banks.
In the 81st minute Little did manage to get the ball in the net only to see his effort ruled out by the referee for a push on John Hills.
The final minutes of the game were extremely tense with neither side wanting to throw away a point and the game ended in a stalemate.