Stoke City's search for their first league win of 2013 has been frustrated so far this afternoon by a spirited Reading resistance at the Britannia Stadium.
The home side made a lively start and nearly took the lead inside five minutes when Peter Crouch came within inches of connecting with a corner at the far post.
Crouch's aerial battle with Adrian Mariappa was prominent throughout the opening 45 minutes, but the Royals defender did just enough to keep the game goalless.
Reading handed new striker Nick Blackman a full debut this afternoon but he saw little of the ball on the left of a three-man attack.
Stoke continued to press before the break but despite a series of lively bursts from Matthew Etherington were unable to create a clear-cut opportunity before half time.
Liam Power
