Reading and Sheffield United cancelled each other out during a hard-fought encounter at the Madejski Stadium.

Just two points separated the play-off hopefuls before kick-off and both sides had opportunities in an end-to-end match.

But a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping ensured the scoreline remained blank and kept Reading in front in the race for a top-six finish.

Royals boss Steve Coppell handed a start to Nicky Forster and Paul Brooker with Glen Little ruled out with a groin problem and Dean Morgan on the bench.

Blades manager Neil Warnock welcomed back Chris Morgan from a knee injury and Watford striker Danny Webber, on loan at Bramall Lane until the end of the season, was named among the substitutes.

Both teams had chances in the early stages but it was Reading who almost broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes.

Nicky Shorey's long free-kick released Forster and he did well to beat the offside trap before firing just wide under pressure from the Blades defence.

Royals midfielder Steve Sidwell went even closer with 20 minutes on the clock with a fierce effort from the edge of the area that fizzed inches wide of the post with goalkeeper Paddy Kenny beaten.

Forster then tried his luck with a dipping effort after another searching long ball but his volley just cleared the crossbar.

That stung the visitors into life and Alan Quinn had an effort cleared off the line by Graeme Murty after good approach play from Steve Kabba.

Reading poured forward towards the end of the half and Andy Hughes cleared the crossbar with a volley after Shorey's corner caused panic in the Blades defence.

The hosts started the second half in determined fashion with Brooker and Ricky Newman going close before Forster was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Leigh Bromby.

The Blades were slow to get into their stride but Kabba's header after 65 minutes forced keeper Marcus Hahnemann into a save before Phil Jagielka blasted off target.

United started to enjoy their best spell of the match and Kabba made way for Webber with just under quarter of an hour to go.

The 23-year-old striker is set to join the Blades on a permanent basis when his loan spell expires in the summer and he was keen to make an instant impression and worked hard chasing everything.

Reading made a change of their own with veteran striker Les Ferdinand, fully recovered from a recent hamstring injury, replacing Forster.

Ferdinand immediately unsettled the Blades rearguard and his flick released Hughes but Kenny made an impressive save with six minutes left and neither side could find the winner.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hughes, Sidwell, Newman, Brooker, Kitson, Forster (Ferdinand 83).

Subs Not Used: Keown, Harper, Morgan, Young.

Sheff Utd Kenny, Morgan, Jagielka, Bromby, Kozluk, Montgomery, Quinn, Tonge, Harley, Kabba (Webber 77), Gray.

Subs Not Used: David Johnson, Barnes, Thirlwell, Geary.

Att: 18,899

Ref: M Jones (Cheshire).