Reading recorded their sixth draw in seven games on Easter Monday after firing a blank against lowly Northampton Town at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals totally dominated and had the chances to win it but it wasn't to be. With Brighton defeating Bristol City the Seagulls go top of the table with just three matches remaining. For the Royals, the play offs are looking ever more likely.
There was only one change from the team that started against Bristol City. Adie Williams was dropped to the bench, Adie Viveash came in in his place. Michael Branch who came on as sub on Saturday wasn't fit to play, he is nursing a hamstring injury. Sammy Igoe was not fit enough to return either so Darius Henderson was on the bench.
The first chance of the game, like nearly all the others, fell to Reading. Forster was fouled thirty yards out and Watson, having scored on Saturday took the kick, he almost go another it was curling in the far corner but Keith Welch, who had an excellent game made a good clutching save to his right.
The Royals continued to attack well but they were just lacking the final ball. Northampton proved all afternoon that although they are in a lowly league position they can defend and time and again got bodies in the way of the ball. Just short of the twenty minute mark a Kevin Watson shot from twenty-five yards took a heavy deflection off Jamie Cureton and looked to have sent Welch the wrong way but he just scrambled back across his goal and prevented the ball from crossing the line.
Minutes later good footwork from Nicky Forster took him past Daryl Burgess and into the box. He shot low from the angle but unfortunately dragged it wide, he really should have hit the target, had he done so then it probably would have been in.
On the half hour a good attacking move from the Royals was so close to ending up in the back of the net. Salako played it into Cureton who passed it on for Forster, Fozzy shot from the edge of the box, the effort was palmed away by Welch and he just managed to claim it before Hughes stole his way in. Forster again missed moments later, his shot from Hughes' cross was blocked by a defender.
Reading continued to pile the pressure on and Mackie was almost rewarded with his third goal of the campaign, Salako's cross was met by the big centre back who had made a late run into the box, But his header hit the bar and bounced over with Welch totally beaten.
Five minutes short of the break Cureton turned the ball into the net as former Bristol City goalkeeper Welch flapped at a cross but his goal was ruled out because he used his arm to do so. He received a booking for his troubles.
Northampton's only shot of the first of the first half came just before the break, Jamie Forrester curled a thirty-yard free kick over the bar. The game had been played at a low tempo but the Royals had performed well. Whilst they hadn't scored there was not great cause for concern, it looked like, given time, they'd get the all important goal and three vital points.
Reading made an attacking start to the second half, but unfortunately first Shorey shot over then Salako's cross was claimed by Welch. Ten minutes after the restart Forster then broke down the right and crossed it into the box. Hughes was there and he headed it back across goal for Salako but the former England international was muscled off the ball by the defence.
Time was slowly ticking away an hour had been played and the Royals were still searching for that elusive goal. A Graeme Murty cross was met by Nicky Forster on the penalty spot but unfortunately his header flashed just past the post with Welch rooted to the spot.
Andy Hughes had a chance too, he found he had time and space on the edge of the box and chose to shoot. Welch dived across his goal and probably would have made it to a Hughes' shot which hit the post as it went out of play.
After a lull in Reading pressure Nicky Forster had the best chance of the game to break the deadlock in the seventy-third minute. A Kevin Watson corner was struck from the edge of the box by Shorey but it was deflected on its way. Somehow it broke to Fozzy eight yards out at a bit of an angle in on the goalkeeper but he shot over the bar, it was disappointing that he missed. Alongside him Jamie Cureton had a very quiet game and one could understand if he is dropped next Sunday when we play Tranmere.
With the hopes fading substitute Anthony Rougier appeared to be tripped as he dashed inside the area with just seven minutes left on the clock. The referee turned a blind eye. Rouge was certainly looking for the spot kick but will consider himself hard done by not to have got it. Referee's give penalties for much much lesser things, namely Adie William's non-existent tug of the shirt at Bristol last weekend.
In the end the clock beat the Royals to the finish and it ended goalless. Northampton had a chance to win it but they dragged a shot badly wide from a good position inside the box.
Reading now travel to Tranmere on Sunday for a crunch game. Before that Brighton face Peterborough away and third placed Brentford play fifth place Huddersfield at home on Saturday. With three games remaining we need seven points from a possible nine to be guaranteed automatic promotion.
Our recent form has been poor but I call on every Reading fan possible to get a ticket and travel to Tranmere for what could be a decisive match.
