READING FC picked up a valuable point in Noel Hunt’s first game in charge against Championship leaders Burnley.
The Royals collected their first clean sheet in 20 matches as they managed to shut out the already promoted side.
Reading remain in the relegation zone but move a point closer to Huddersfield Town, QPR and Cardiff City who were all beaten.
The Royals are back on home turf on Wednesday night when they host high flying Luton Town who are vying to secure their place in the play-offs.
Hunt made changes which saw Femi Azeez and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan handed starts.
The Royals were looking to end a run of eight Championship games without a win, while their opponents were hunting down the league title having already won promotion.
Vincent Kompany’s side have had an impeccable record this campaign which has seen them lose just twice in 40 matches. Sheffield United and Watford are the only sides to have defeated them which means the Clarets can still surpass Reading’s record of 106 points in a single season which they achieved in 2005/06.
It was a half that was dominated by the visitors who displayed their willingness to play some slick football from the back.
However, Reading fought hard on and off the ball and prevented the leaders from taking an advantage in a satisfying opening 45 minutes.
The first half chance came Burnley’s way when a clipped Charlie Taylor cross was met by Scott Twine who couldn’t keep his shot down.
Joe Lumley was called into action to make an excellent save in the 15th minute in what was the clearest cut chance of the half when Manuel Benson latched onto a through ball to get behind the backline, but was thwarted by the keeper.
Burnley were forced into an early change when Nathan Tella, who has netted 17 goals this season, had to go off with an injury and was replaced by Darko Churnilov.
Azeez was required to make an intervention to stop Scott Twine from bending the ball into the bottom corner.
A couple of half chances passed Reading by when Ehibhatiomhan headed over the top and Hendrick smacked a volley well wide.
Azeez expressed his pace on the break when Reading countered quickly from a Burnley corner, but no one was in the middle to profit from Azeez’ drilled cross into the six yard area.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson was given room to try his luck when he was found on the edge of the box, but he skewed his shot just wide of Lumley’s far post.
The half came to a close with the Royals’ fans in attendance showing their support for the players after a hard fought opening half to keep it goalless.
The second-half restarted with the away side still expectedly in the ascendancy when Gudmundsson curled a shot on his left from distance that landed just wide.
The Royals won three corners in quick succession to put some pressure on their opponents and ignite the home crowd despite not being able to convert.
With just over an hour gone, Ehibhatiomhan made way for Andy Carroll who entered to partner Lucas Joao up top.
Taylor was next to try and break the deadlock when he unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards that flew past Lumley’s post.
Another switch from Hunt saw Kelvin Abrefa take the place of Tyrese Fornah for the final 25 minutes.
Hunt continued to put his faith in youth as Mamadi Camara and Amadou Mbengue replaced Azeez and Guinness-Walker.
Benson showed pace and technique on the right to breeze past Nesta Guinness-Walker, but was unable to pick out a teammate with his final ball.
Reading then broke down the other end after some superb close control from Joao who teed up Azeez who was shutdown by Burnley in the box.
Abrefa had a chance to deliver with plenty of bodies waiting in the box, but he put far too much on his cross which floated out for a goal kick.
Despite having to soak up plenty of pressure throughout the final 20 minutes, Reading held firm and managed to claim a hard earned point.
