Jimmy Kebe spurned the best chance to give Brendan Rodgers a debut win as Reading were held to a 0-0 by the 10 men of Nottingham Forest in their Coca-Cola Championship clash.

Winger Kebe stabbed wide from inside the six-yard box as Rodgers failed to inspire the Royals to a first win at the Madejski Stadium since January.

Billy Davies' Forest side had several good chances of their own but failed to find the target as the sides played out a repeat of the goalless draw they recorded on the opening day of last season.

Forest were reduced to 10 men with two minutes remaining when defender Luke Chambers was shown a second yellow card for an incident off the ball but Reading were unable to capitalise.

Rodgers joined the Royals from Watford in the summer and handed debuts to academy graduates Scott Davies and Hal Robson-Kanu, while Simon Church led the line in only his second appearance for the club with Shane Long left on the bench.

Republic of Ireland internationals Noel and Stephen Hunt were both ruled out through injury for the hosts, while midfielder James Harper was on the bench after a move to Wolves fell through this week.

The Royals were dominating the early possession with Church to the fore but a mistake by goalkeeper Adam Federici almost led to an early goal for Forest.

Federici shanked a goal kick straight to Dele Adebola and his ball was driven in low by strike partner David McGoldrick but Federici recovered well to make a sharp save.

Poland international Radoslaw Majewski then shot inches wide as the visitors upped the pace before McGoldrick dragged a shot wide.

Church then had Reading's first effort on goal but failed to get any power on a header which was easily saved by Lee Camp as the sides went in level at the break.

Joe Garner then had an early chance to put Forest ahead in the second half when he got on the end of a Chris Cohen cross but his effort flashed wide.

Davies then brought Robert Earnshaw on for McGoldrick while Rodgers sent Long into the action as both sides searched for a goal.

The lively Davies then almost fashioned the opener but his low shot across the six-yard box was stabbed wide by Kebe with the goal gaping.

Davies sent a free-kick just over from 25 yards as the Royals pushed forward before Jem Karacan shot wide after a strong run.

Long sent a strike over the top as Rodgers' new side searched for an elusive home win but Forest held on comfortably to share the points.

Teams

Reading Federici, Rosenior, Cisse, Pearce, Bertrand, Karacan,Davies, Tabb, Robson-Kanu (Long 64), Church, Kebe.

Subs Not Used: Hamer, Armstrong, Gunnarsson, Harper, Henry,

Sigurdsson.

Booked: Karacan.

Nottm Forest Camp, Gunter, Chambers, Morgan, Lynch,Garner (McCleary 78), Majewski, McKenna, Cohen (Tyson 73),McGoldrick (Earnshaw 61), Adebola.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Anderson, McGugan, Blackstock.

Sent Off: Chambers (88).

Booked: Chambers, Majewski.

Att: 19,640

Ref: Phil Crossley (Kent).