Debutant keeper Jamie Young earned Reading a point against fellow play-off
hopefuls Stoke after the Royals had spurned a series of first-half chances at
the Madejski Stadium.
The 18-year-old Australian made a point-blank save from Darel Russell after 75
minutes after replacing the injured Marcus Hahnemann as Stoke posed a far
greater threat after the interval.
Reading striker Shaun Goater was the main culprit in a one-sided first half as
the Royals spurned numerous opportunities to take the lead.
Reading's Lloyd Owusu had the first effort of the game but was unable to find
the target when well placed in the box and Goater then drilled wide from similar
range as the home side made all the early running.
Stoke were struggling to make an impact with Goater causing the Potters
defence plenty of problems with his movement off the ball.
And when Gerry Taggart fouled the former Manchester City man, Graeme Murty's
free-kick eventually fell to James Harper who should have done better than to
fire over the bar.
Stoke struggled to pose an attacking threat of their own with on-form striker
Ade Akinbiyi an isolated figure and Reading looked far more likely to break the
deadlock.
Ivar Ingimarsson again gave Stoke a warning with a header just over the bar
following James Harper's corner.
Stoke broke out to have their first effort at goal after 27 minutes but Clive
Clarke was unable to test Royals keeper Marcus Hahnemann as his left-footed shot
drifted past the upright.
Goater threatened twice more before the interval but his powerful header flew
past the post before De Goey comfortably saved his 20-yard drive.
Stoke came out fighting after the interval and Russell fired a drive wide
before Hahnemann was finally called into action after 51 minutes when he did
well to keep out Taggart's fierce shot.
But Reading were dealt a blow five minutes later when the American was forced
off through injury to be replaced by Young.
And Young was called into action immediately to save another effort from
Russell before Clarke demonstrated Stoke's new sense of confidence with a curler
just past the post.
Dave Kitson came off the bench for Owusu to re-ignite Reading's challenge and
Nicky Shorey almost immediately broke the deadlock but de Goey parried his
strong shot from the edge of the area.
Young was then on hand to beat away Russell's header from Peter Hoekstra's
inswinging corner to preserve the home side's clean sheet and earn a deserved
point for his side.
Teams
Reading Hahnemann (Young 56), Murty, Shorey, Williams,
Ingimarsson, Hughes, Sidwell, Harper, Salako (Brooker 78),
Owusu (Kitson 69), Goater.
Subs Not Used: Murray, Newman.
Booked: Harper.
Stoke de Goey, Halls, Marcus Hall, Taggart, Thomas,
Svard (Henry 88), Russell, Clarke, Hoekstra,
Noel-Williams (Asaba 73), Akinbiyi.
Subs Not Used: Foster, Hill, Commons.
Booked: Marcus Hall.
Att: 14,132
Ref: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).
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