Reading's promotion hopes were dented as Plymouth battled their way to a share of the points at the Madejski Stadium.

The Pilgrims' well-organised defence frustrated their hosts throughout an entertaining encounter and survived a late onslaught from Steve Coppell's side who were clearly lacking the killer touch in front of goal.

The Royals dictated the pace of the game but Bobby Williamson's side coped with everything that came their way and almost caught their hosts on the counter attack on a couple of occasions.

Steve Sidwell returned to the Reading midfield after a two-match suspension and he was keen to make up for lost time with a long-range effort which sailed wide of the upright in the first minute.

The hosts made the better start and penned Plymouth back but the visitors looked dangerous on the break with Dexter Blackstock, making his debut after agreeing a month's loan from Southampton, keen to make an immediate impression.

Royals skipper Graeme Murty has not scored for almost four years and he was unlucky to see his 12th-minute drive fly narrowly high and wide.

Blackstock's pace was causing problems and he raced clear and let fly after 15 minutes but Reading goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was equal to his effort.

Romain Larrieu was left out of the Plymouth squad, meaning Luke McCormick started in goal but he was never really tested in the opening stages despite Reading enjoying the bulk of the possession.

But McCormick showed his quality 10 minutes before the break when he dived to stop Les Ferdinand's downward header from Murty's pin-point cross.

Reading increased the pressure towards the end of the half and Glen Little almost scored his first goal of the season with a fierce shot which flew wide before Blackstock missed the target with a header at the other end.

Ferdinand looked to unsettle the Plymouth rearguard from the start of the second half and he leapt to meet Nicky Shorey's inswinging corner but his header was too high to trouble McCormick.

James Harper and Andy Hughes were pulling the strings in midfield as Reading dominated, but the Pilgrims continued to keep them out with some frantic defending.

Shorey was unlucky with just under 20 minutes left when he fired the ball across goal and McCormick managed to turn it behind before Forster almost capitalised on a mistake from the keeper, who was relieved to see his defence scramble the ball to safety.

Plymouth were let off the hook inside the last 10 minutes when Forster clipped the crossbar.

Reading boss Steve Coppell sent on Martin Keown to make his debut with fellow veteran Ferdinand making way.

But the former Arsenal defender was unable to inspire his side to victory and Plymouth escaped with a point.

Teams

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hughes, Harper, Sidwell (Brooker 54), Little, Forster (Owusu 88), Ferdinand (Keown 82).

Subs Not Used: Morgan, Young.

Plymouth McCormick, Worrell, Coughlan, Wotton, Doumbe, Buzsaky (Friio 75), Lasley, Gudjonsson, Gilbert, Taylor (Evans 71), Blackstock (Capaldi 88).

Subs Not Used: Aljofree, Keith.

Booked: Buzsaky.

Att: 19,783

Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).