READING ended their Championship league campaign with a goalless draw at home against Birmingham City at the Madejski Stadium.
After a tough season with relegation looking a real possibility throughout, the Royals maintained their strong end to the season as Jose Gomes’ side finished 20th in the Championship.
Reading fans showed their appreciation for the manager, who joined in December, by dressing in the national colours of the Portuguese flag to celebrate his contribution to Reading’s Championship survival.
The first big cheer of the day came from the south stand in Club 1871 as injured striker Yakou Meite joined Royals fans and was greeted with a chorus of ‘We’ve got Meite’ by the adoring home fans.
Reading created the first opening of the match as Chris Gunter whipped a brilliant ball into Josh Barrertt at the back post but the winger scuffed his shot goalward which was cleared off the line by Marc Roberts.
Birmingham then had their first chance of the match as Emi Martinez was forced into action. Isaac Vassell drove at the heart of the Reading defence and broke into the box before getting a shot away which was parried out by Martinez but Che Adams could only scuff the rebound wide.
Gunter continued to impress for the hosts and played another dangerous cross at the back post for Danny Loader who must have thought he had scored but Birmingham goalkeeper Lee Camp somehow scrambled across his goal to keep the ball out.
Young winger Michael Olise threatened the Birmingham defence and almost scored his first senior goal when he used his skill to beat his marker before testing Camp who parried his shot behind for a corner.
Reading continued to dominate, and Gunter again fizzed in a good cross from the right but somehow it evaded Loader in the middle as Birmingham survived another close shave as the sides went in goalless at the break.
Danny Loader was lively for the hosts in the second half and looked full of confidence having scored his first senior goal for the club last weekend against Middlesbrough. He came close to getting his first home goal as he checked onto his right foot to create some space 20 yards out but his shot sailed just over the crossbar.
Neither side created many chances in the second half but the Royals enjoyed a large share of the possession.
Birmingham’s best chance came with a free kick 25 yards from goal, but Martinez caught the ball to make a routine save on what could be his last appearance for the Royals following the end of his loan spell from Arsenal.
John O’Shea was welcomed with a fantastic ovation from the Madejski Stadium as he was substituted on for the final few minutes of the game and was given a guard of honour from both sets of teams on his last appearance before he retires from professional football.
The visitors worked a good move with just a minute of time remaining but Adams blasted his shot high and wide before Barrow acrobatically volleyed over the bar as the game ended goalless on the final day of the Championship season.
Reading: Martinez, Gunter (Howe 90′), Yiadom, Moore, Baker, Ejaria, Miazga, Rinomhota, Barrett (O’Shea 90′), Loader, Olise (Barrow 65′)
Birmingham City: Camp, Gardner, Vassell, Pedersen, Adams, Colin, Lakin, Roberts, Mrabti, Jota, Harding.
Attendance: 17,247
Visitors: 2112
