Kenny Lunt hit a first-half equaliser for Crewe as they held Reading to a draw after Dave Kitson had given the home side an early lead.

Two straight defeats over Easter, at Bradford and at home against Norwich, had knocked Reading's play-off ambitions and a point at the Madejski Stadium does little to put them back in contention.

Meanwhile, Dario Gradi's Crewe need another couple of wins to be guaranteed First Division football next season and travelled south trying to protect a four-game unbeaten record against Reading, stretching back to 1990.

But Kitson gave the Royals the perfect start as they tried to end that run, putting his side in the lead after just 10 minutes.

Following a shot-shy start to the game, Kitson got on the end of John Salako's left-wing cross to head home his fourth goal in as many games.

The 24-year-old has taken time to make an impact on the First Division since his £150,000 switch from Division Three side Cambridge in December but is now showing why manager Steve Coppell was so keen to secure his services.

Coppell's men immediately went in search of a second, Steve Sidwell's shot from outside the area flashing past Crewe goalkeeper Ben Williams' right-hand post.

Crewe came close to getting back on level terms with midfielder Lunt forcing a fine save from Jamie Ashdown, who later did well to cope with a Dean Ashton strike, while Salako was still causing problems down the Reading left side.

But Lunt got the Railwaymen back on terms with six minutes of the first half remaining. He was fouled by Adrian Williams outside the area, but picked himself up to bend the ball into the top corner of Ashdown's goal.

Ashton and Steve Jones both went close after that but Crewe had to be satisfied with being on terms at half-time.

That equaliser spurred Reading into action at the start of the second half but they could not translate their dominance into goals, or even shots on goal as Crewe defended desperately - with Salako's header, saved by Williams, all they had to show for their efforts in the first 10 minutes.

Crewe were still a threat on the break and Ashdown was called into action to save a David Wright strike from the edge of the area, while Ashton and Lunt also went close for the visitors and Dean Morgan had a shot blocked by Williams at the other end.

The frustration was mounting among the home fans when Salako again found space down the left and picked out Kitson again, but this time the striker's header was off-target.

Ashdown made another save from Jones, but Crewe will be more than happy with this draw.

Teams

Reading Ashdown, Murty, Williams, Ingimarsson, Newman, Brooker (Forster 77), Harper, Sidwell, Salako, Kitson, Owusu (Morgan 67).

Subs Not Used: Goater, Savage, Young.

Goals: Kitson 10.

Crewe Williams, Wright, Moses, Foster, McCready (Walker 90), Vaughan, Brammer (Hignett 80), Sorvel, Lunt, Ashton (Symes 85), Steve Jones.

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Higdon.

Goals: Lunt 39.

Att: 14,729

Ref: P Danson (Leicestershire).