Reading took their biggest step yet towards the Coca-Cola Championship title after their record unbeaten run survived the trip to Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock's inclusion of Bruce Dyer proved a masterstroke as he marked his debut with the opener, but the visitors hit back almost immediately through top scorer Dave Kitson.

United substitute Steve Kabba missed an absolute sitter to snatch all three points and before Kitson saw his last-minute penalty saved by Paddy Kenny.

Kitson may not have played had Leroy Lita not suffered a facial injury in a Bristol nightclub at the weekend, while Warnock sprang a surprise by starting with Dyer instead of new loan signing Geoff Horsfield.

A match against their closest challengers on paper represented the biggest threat to Reading's 32-game undefeated run before the end of the season.

However, having won six of the last seven meetings, as well as emerging victorious on their last three visits to Bramall Lane, Steve Coppell's men seemed to have the hex over their hosts.

Neither side gained the upper hand until Paul Ifill tested Marcus Hahnemann's handling from 25 yards.

Then, out of nothing United went ahead; a low Leigh Bromby cross bouncing off Ade Akinbiyi on the edge of the box and falling perfectly for Dyer - whose only previous goals this season had come against the Blades - to rifle home.

The lead lasted less than five minutes as Bobby Convey broke free down the left before fizzing a ball across the six-yard box Kitson could not fail to turn in.

Back United came and Akinbiyi volleyed wide after good hold-up play from Dyer, while Reading survived a goalmouth scramble when Dyer's header was partially cleared to Craig Short, whose goalbound shot was deflected behind.

Warnock lost Bromby to injury shortly after but continued to press, Hahnemann parrying Dyer's low strike and Akinbiyi lifting the rebound too high over the sprawling keeper.

The front two then got in each other's way trying to head in Nick Montgomery's whipped cross, the visitors struggling to cope with the duo's physical approach.

But Reading remained a threat, with Glen Little's shot deflecting wide off Kitson and Convey's fierce strike punched away by Kenny.

Playing on the counter at the start of the second half they won a corner which Steve Sidwell got a good header on but too close to Kenny.

The hosts were grateful to a Phil Jagielka block on Sidwell's snap-shot, while United captain Chris Morgan went close with a spectacular volley from Michael Tonge's corner.

Morgan did have the ball in the net from Tonge's free-kick but Reading's offside trap did its job.

A series of stoppages disrupted both side's attempts to create a winner and Warnock tried to freshen things up by introducing Kabba for Dyer.

Akinbiyi should have done better when he dug out a shot straight into Hahnemann's arms but United will be scratching their heads how a bout of goalmouth pinball did not end up in the net after Reading failed to clear Tonge's corner.

And Kabba will be kicking himself after Tonge's free-kick broke to him in the area, and he had all the time in the world to pick his spot but side-footed straight at the legs of Hahnemann.

Ifill sent a drive over after losing his footing and with time running out Convey burst clear, Kenny looked to have thwarted him, but foolishly took him out as the American tried to get back to his feet and the referee pointed to the spot.

However, Kenny redeemed himself with a brilliant stop from Kitson's spot-kick.

Teams:

Sheff Utd Kenny, Bromby (Kozluk 24), Short (Flitcroft 88),Morgan, Armstrong, Montgomery, Jagielka, Ifill, Tonge,Akinbiyi, Dyer (Kabba 69).

Subs Not Used: Shipperley, Gillespie.

Goals: Dyer 9.

Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Sidwell,Little, Harper, Convey, Doyle, Kitson.

Subs Not Used: Stack, Hunt, Oster, Makin, Long.

Goals: Kitson 12.

Att: 25,011

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).