WANDERERS went a long way to exorcising the demons of their 7-1 defeat at the Madejski in January by securing a point to extend their unbeaten run to five games.

Both sides had chances to win the game, particularly in a much-improved second half. But Neil Lennon was generally pleased with a solid display – characterised by strong performances in the middle of the park by Matt Mills, Dorian Dervite and Darren Pratley.

“I’m satisfied but not ecstatic,” he said. “We were solid, we were hard to beat but the fact we haven’t scored for the first time since I have been here is a little annoying.

“I think we deserved a goal from what we put into the game.

“Reading were strong at set pieces but we dealt with it okay.

“In the end, I’m only disappointed we didn’t get a goal.”

Reading improved as the first half wore on, Glenn Murray stabbing a shot wide from close range on the stroke of the interval.

Wanderers didn’t test Adam Federici much at all – but Max Clayton whipped a few dangerous crosses into the box, and Chung-Yong Lee will feel he could have had a penalty when he was hauled down on the edge of the box by Oliver Norwood.

After the break Federici had to be at his best to tip over a looping header by Tim Ream before Clayton saw another shot deflected narrowly wide.

The hosts then hit back – young defender Michael Hector heading narrowly over then crashing a shot just wide of Andy Lonergan’s post.

Lonergan then made a wonderful save from Murray’s header while another shot was blocked on the line by Clayton.

Back came the Whites, and Conor Wilkinson – on as a sub for Craig Davies for his first league game for the club – went mighty close with a measured effort from Clayton’s cross.

Ream had another chance from close range and Federici made another smart stop to deny Pratley as Wanderers went in search of a winner.

But neither side managed to exert any authority in the last 15 minutes, the game petering out to a draw.

Eidur Gudjohnsen warmed down after the game but was not given international clearance in time to feature.

“I think he might have made a difference late on when we needed a bit of creativity,” Lennon reflected.