Steve Clarke's side have been in change for much of the first half but have failed to find a way past a resilient Blackburn Rovers side at the Madejski.
Reading nearly took the lead inside the opening few minutes when Jamie Mackie burst forward down the right, winning his side a corner.
That set piece found the head of Alex Pearce, who directed a header against the frame of Simon Eastwood's goal, and the Blackburn goalkeeper had to be alert to deny Hal Robson-Kanu just moments later.
Pavel Pogrebnyak headed another corner narrowly over and Mackie flicked Gareth McCleary's cross wide of goal as Reading turned the screw.
Nathaniel Chalobah fired over from range and Jem Karacan's effort from Pogrebnyak's cut-back was deflected away as Blackburn held on to leave the game goalless at the break.
Joe Sharratt
