Reading and Middlesbrough played out a goalless draw in their Championship match at the Madejski Stadium this afternoon.
Aitor Karanka's side started the game well and could have taken the lead as Patrick Bamford found the run of Jelle Vossen, who in turn teed up Adam Reach inside the box, but the midfielder put his effort wide.
Reach should have fired his side ahead minutes later as Bamford did well down the right to carve out an opening for the midfielder, squaring the ball back to the 21-year-old, who blazed his strike over the bar.
Middlesbrough were really turning the screw and a cross into the area turned into a scramble in the six-yard box. The loose ball fell to Bamford to fire a low effort at goal, but Adam Federici was on hand to make a good save.
In the second half, Reading responded and neat play between Simon Cox and Hal Robson-Kanu released the winger into the box, but the Welshman was crowded out before he could fire an effort at goal.
Federici kept the home side level again as he made an smart stop to deny a header from Albert Adomah from finding the back of the net, after the midfielder had latched onto Grant Leadbitter's corner.
Both sides showed good attacking intent in the latter stages of the game, but the respective defences were proving to be resolute in the contest, with neither willing to give up the crucial goal.
Bamford almost produced a moment of magic minutes from time, but his powerful strike cannoned off the crossbar and bounced in the box before being hacked clear as the visitors were forced to settle for a point.
Simon Sinclair
