Match ends, Reading 0, Burnley 0.
ReadingReading0BurnleyBurnley0
Ali Al-Habsi's penalty save helped Reading hold promotion-chasing Burnley to a goalless draw in the Championship.
Andre Gray saw his penalty saved after he had been tripped by Al-Habsi, and Reading held out to secure a point.
Gray should have put Burnley in front early on when he scuffed Geroge Boyd's cross over from six yards out.
Tom Heaton saved from Yann Kermorgant's header at the other end, while Gray put Matt Lowton's cross wide from point-blank range after the break.
Former Brentford striker Gray, the Championship's top scorer with 18 goals this season, faced a long wait to take his penalty, with Reading winger Hal Robson-Kanu receiving a booking for scuffing up the penalty spot.
The Royals could have won it when Robson-Kanu fired well over, but they created few chances throughout and have now scored only eight goals in their last 14 matches.
Burnley remain third in the table after extending their unbeaten run in the league to eight games, while Reading stay 15th.
Reading manager Brian McDermott:
"I've looked back at the penalty decision three or four times and it doesn't look like Ali's touched him.
"Then Ali made a great save from the penalty and we're delighted with that.
"Our players were incensed for a reason, but Ali's made a fabulous save and that was the right outcome."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche:
"From where I was looking, I did see their player [Robson-Kanu] dig the spot up.
"I've never seen that in my career and I hope my players never conduct themselves in that manner.
"I would not expect my players to move the ball off the spot when someone is ready to take a penalty and then kick the floor up. I think that's really poor."
Line-ups
Reading
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 26Al Habsi
- 2Gunter
- 5McShane
- 35Cooper
- 11ObitaBooked at 70mins
- 6NorwoodSubstituted forRakelsat 81'minutes
- 8Hector
- 9Robson-KanuBooked at 59mins
- 17PiazonSubstituted forMcClearyat 63'minutes
- 21Quinn
- 29Kermorgant
Substitutes
- 1Bond
- 4Evans
- 10Rakels
- 12McCleary
- 15Ferdinand
- 20John
- 49Barrett
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Heaton
- 2Lowton
- 5Keane
- 6Mee
- 23Ward
- 21Boyd
- 14Jones
- 13BartonBooked at 67mins
- 37Arfield
- 9Vokes
- 7GraySubstituted forHenningsat 85'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Kightly
- 15Taylor
- 17Robinson
- 18Hennings
- 20Ulvestad
- 26Tarkowski
- 27Darikwa
- Referee:
- James Adcock
- Attendance:
- 16,773
Match Stats
Home TeamReadingAway TeamBurnley
- Possession
- Home60%
- Away40%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away4
- Corners
- Home4
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Reading 0, Burnley 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Burnley) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Rouwen Hennings with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Scott Arfield (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Michael Keane.
Post update
Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Hal Robson-Kanu.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jake Cooper (Reading) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Stephen Quinn with a cross.
Post update
Deniss Rakels (Reading) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Ben Mee (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt saved. Rouwen Hennings (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Rouwen Hennings replaces Andre Gray.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Michael Hector (Reading) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yann Kermorgant.
Post update
Yann Kermorgant (Reading) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Keane (Burnley).
Post update
Paul McShane (Reading) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Andre Gray (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Andre Gray (Burnley) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Scott Arfield.
Substitution
Substitution, Reading. Deniss Rakels replaces Oliver Norwood.
Post update
Attempt blocked. David Jones (Burnley) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt missed. Yann Kermorgant (Reading) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Oliver Norwood with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Keane (Burnley) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Tom Heaton following a set piece situation.
