Another draw, another point : Walsall 0-0 Reading.

Reading 0-0 Walsall 

Colin Lee was forced to make changes to the side that was victorious at the Madejski on Tuesday. Emblen came in for Roper, while Corica and Simpson replaced O'Connor and Sonner. It was always going to be a tight affair given the number of meetings the two sides have had in the past few weeks.

Many fans would agree with the assertion that Reading were the better side today, and if anyone deserved the three points t it was them. The game lacked any real sparkle, and nobody was able to take control and create that something special that every game needs.

Martin Butler, the villain from midweek was guilty of missing a chance early on in the game as his effort flew over the bar from the edge of the penalty box. Butlers next chance came on the half hour mark, when a Forster effort rebounded of the woodwork leaving Butler to fire the ball high and wide of the target.

The only Saddlers chances of any note came courtesy of Junior who was thwarted by American Keeper Hahnemann on two occasions during the first half. The first was   a save from a  Bazeley cross, while the second time round Junior struck a shot from the left flank with 5 minute  The first half ended with neither side having made a real impression, but with Reading having the majority of the chances.

Half Time: Reading 0-0 Walsall

The second half was not much better than the first from an entertainment perspective. The first attempts on goal came from the Saddlers who saw a Fitzroy Simpson long range and Pedro Matias header go wide of the post. 

Readings Martin Butler and Jamie Cureton also went on to have decent chances, but Walker saved from Butler, and Cureton shot went wide. It began to become clear that  Readings poor run of recent form was likely to continue, while from our perspective it seemed that we were going to do well to grind out a draw at one of the trickiest destinations in the division.

Matias and Zdrilic went on to have further chances for the Saddlers inside the final 20 minutes but it was the Royals who ended the game on top with Cureton forcing Walker to make a fantastic save with just 2 minutes left. Cureton also went close during injury time as his right footed volley flew over the bar.

The game was a story of missed chances and good goalkeeping. Maybe the number of meetings between the two sides had made them so familiar with each other that they cancelled each other out.

Full Time: Reading 0-0 Walsall