Stalemate At The Valley

Reading stretched to a sixth consecutive premiership game without a win picking up only two points from a possible eighteen in that time.

But this was by no means a bore draw for the Royals, both they and the Addicks fought hard and the sides were unfortunate as each other not to walk away with the full three points – or a goal at least.

Reading fielded a side a world apart from the one that faced Liverpool, Ulises De La Cruz started at right back, Andre Bikey replaced Michael Duberry in the centre of defence and Seol Ki Hyeon returned from the wilderness to make his first Premiership start since 2006, meanwhile Leroy Lita was accompanied up front by Shane Long.

Reading had the first of a host of chances with Leroy Lita being deprived of a shot on goal by a well timed block from El Karkouri.

The Charlton defender was next to have a chance walloping a header against the bar from a Darren Ambrose free-kick.

Reading and Charlton played a fast pace game challenging each other end for end, Charlton desperate to put something between themselves and the drop zone whilst Reading desired the points to make their first Premiership season as memorable as possible.

Seol Ki Hyeon showed some of the magic that made him the old flavour of the month at the Madejski Stadium; the Korean international danced through the challenges of an array of Charlotn players but spurned his chance shooting straight at Scott Carson.

Marcus Bent and Herman Hreidarsson were forced from the pitch and replaced with Matt Holland and Ben Thatcher respectively.

And Reading continued to press on Carson keeping Charlton on level terms a second time as Steve Sidwell`s headed shot was tipped over the bar.

Reading came out for the second half looking to take the lead, a Leroy Lita won free-kick was taken by Nicky Shorey but the Charlton wall deflected it away.

Charlton`s Zheng Zhi hesitated in front of goal and was denied of a chance after he was quickly closed down, but moments later he tested Hahnemann with a shot on goal.

But despite this it was still Reading who were running the game, Steve Sidwell spurned two chances drilling one wide and ballooning a long shot over when in reality he had plenty of time.

Stephen Hunt could have crushed the Addicks late on when Sidwell picked him out with a cross, but the ROI winger headed narrowly wide, leaving him to rue his miss.

Zheng Zhi bottled a similar chance in the last minutes, heading what was in reality a routine save for Hahnemann late on.

In the end a point a piece was perhaps a fair result, but both sides could have found the net to get there.

Charlton: Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson (Thatcher 24), Ambrose, Zheng, Song Billong (Lisbie 69), Thomas, Darren Bent, Marcus Bent (Holland 30).

Subs Not Used: Randolph, Rommedahl.

Booked: Song Billong.

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Ki-Hyeon, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Long, Lita.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Gunnarsson, Doyle, Oster, Kitson.