Kelly Chambers says she was proud of the display produced by goalkeeper Grace Moloney as Reading Women drew 0-0 with Arsenal at Adams Park.
The Gunners edged past Royals 3-2 two weeks ago in the Continental Cup semi-finals, but there was nothing to separate the pair as league action resumed.
Tash Harding made her first Reading start following her arrival from Liverpool and looked lively down the right flank while Lauren Bruton came close to grabbing a late winning goal.
But Moloney picked up the player of the match award after a number of fine stops, including a late save to deny Beth Mead.
Having been a regular for Reading during their rise up to the top flight, yesterday was Moloney’s first WSL 1 appearance since April 2016 with first choice Mary Earps absent.
And she certainly grabbed her opportunity with both hands.
“I know she will be as proud as I am,” said manager Chambers.
“It’s her job as a goalkeeper to stop the ball going into the net, but the saves she pulled off to do that were magnificent.”
And Chambers was also very happy with her side’s display to pick up another point.
“I thought it was a fantastic performance,” she said.
“We made a few changes and did a bit of work in training.
“For the information the girls were given in such a short space of time, to deliver that was fantastic.
“It was important for us to bounce back and get some points on the board.
“We shut up shop and were defensively stronger today.”
Reading sit sixth in the table and are now on nine points from their seven matches, the same tally they managed in the entirety of last season.
Focus now switches to the FA Cup this Sunday where Royals host Birmingham City Ladies (2pm).
READING: Moloney, Rowe, Pearce (c), Potter, Scott, Allen, Furness, Williams, Bruton, Harding, Chaplen.
Subs: Bartrip, Clifford, Green, Fletcher, Linnett.
