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Reading missed the chance to move back into the First Division play-off zone
and manager Alan Pardew will consider his side's draw with Walsall two points
lost after a disappointing game at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals dominated for long periods but rarely looked like a side with
genuine promotion ambitions although Nicky Forster was unlucky to see a
first-half shot come back off the woodwork.
Neither side required any warning about their opponents, having met twice
already in the FA Cup this month.
Colin Lee had kept faith with James Walker despite his error against Wolves in
the Saddlers' last league match - and the goalkeeper was tested early on,
comfortably claiming Forster's 25-yard effort.
The visitors threatened briefly after 10 minutes when Junior's header from
Darren Bazeley's cross was deflected wide for a corner, but the set-piece was
disappointing and allowed the Reading defence to clear.
A disjointed game badly needed some inspiration with both teams struggling to
create anything up front, and former Walsall striker Martin Butler summed up the
opening spell with a wild mis-hit from outside the box which flew high over
Walker's crossbar.
Lee's plans were disrupted in the 25th minute by an injury to defender Matt
Carbon who was replaced by Pedro Matias, before Neil Emblen was booked for a
late challenge on Butler.
Walker then produced a decent block to keep out Butler's low shot but Reading
were almost caught out immediately by Junior, who curled the ball wide after a
quick counter attack.
But the home side were desperately unlucky to see Forster rattle the frame of
the goal in the 33rd minute with a drive which gave Walker no chance, and Butler
could only lift the rebound into the crowd.
Junior received the second caution of the afternoon following a foul on John
Mackie, although the Brazilian almost atoned with a 37th-minute shot which
Marcus Hahnemann did well to hold.
Pardew withdrew Ricky Newman at the break and threw on John Salako but his
side started slowly and watched Matias head wide within seconds of the restart.
Andy Hughes had the first opportunity of the half for the hosts on 57 minutes
with an ambitious header from 18 yards which was never going to trouble Walker,
and Pardew soon replaced Forster with Jamie Cureton as the crowd began to grow
restless.
The striker was involved straight away, firing wide from 20 yards, and Butler
then headed straight at Walker from a promising position.
And two minutes from time, Cureton had the opportunity to snatch a
scarcely-deserved win with a six-yard shot which Walker parried brilliantly to
secure a valuable away point for the Saddlers.
Teams:
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Mackie, Brown, Igoe, Harper,
Newman (Salako 45), Hughes, Butler (Tyson 82),
Forster (Cureton 62).
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Viveash.
Booked: Igoe, Brown.
Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Aranalde, Carbon (Matias 26), Hay,
Wrack, Simpson, Emblen, Corica, Junior, Leitao (Zdrilic 62).
Subs Not Used: Ward, Wright, Martinez.
Booked: Emblen, Junior, Corica.
Att: 11,786
Ref: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire).
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