READING FC showed their resilience as they kept a dominant Rubin Kazan at bay in a stalemate draw to end their pre-season tour.

The Russian side looked threatening throughout - despite Royals’ strong start - and in truth could have scored two or three on the day.

Royals’ chances meanwhile were few and far between until John Swift’s late header was fabulously denied by a save worthy of any highlight reel.

But despite constant pressure from the opposition boss Paul Clement’s side held firm to claim a draw in Austria.

Clement handed Marc McNulty his first start in Royals colours as he joined Yakou Meite up front for Reading.

There were also starts for Pelle Clement and Andy Rinomhota while George Evans was left out of the squad ahead of his proposed move to Sunderland.

Clement’s side started with good intensity and kept Russian outfit Rubin penned inside their own half for much of the opening minutes.

Striker McNulty had Royals’ first shot on target with a left-footed half-volley from just outside the penalty area which fell kindly for Dzhanaev in goal.

But Rubin almost took the lead when Paul McShane carelessly gifted the ball to the opposition before a left-footed strike by Konovalov drifted just high of Vito Mannone’s crossbar.

And Royals very nearly the masters of their own downfall when a mix-up between Mannone and Tiago Ilori saw the goalkeeper’s clearance cannon off of a forward and sail marginally wide.

But Clement’s side responded well and Chris Gunter floated a dangerous cross into the box after 18 minutes but striker Meite could not quite steer his header towards goal.

Royals had another half-chance to take the lead when Chris Gunter’s whipped delivery bounced around inside the penalty area but Reading were crowded out before Rubin cleared.

Barrow then burst inside the box but his cross was deflected away for a Reading corner. Pelle Clement, who in truth looked a different player in central midfield compared to last season, delivered the resulting set-piece but it was easily headed clear.

And Rubin had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead when Mannone smartly saved a rebounded effort from a matter of yards before smothering another follow-up strike.

Fleet-footed Barrow then danced his way around two defenders before earning Royals another corner on the left on the stroke of half time.

Clement made three changes at the break with Sam Smith, Omar Richards and Liam Moore replacing Sone Aluko, Tyler Blackett and captain McShane.

Meite, who spent last season on loan at Socheux but has played a prominent role in Royals’ pre-season, lined up on the right while Smith partnered McNulty upfront.

Rubin looked dangerous again and could have taken the lead when a scuffed volley drifted just wide of the far-post.

They attacked Reading again seconds later and Bukharov’s dinked effort also narrowly missed Mannone’s goal.

Clement’s looked as if they were struggling to get into the game until Omar Richards hit a searching pass for the pacey Barrow to chase.

Barrow did brilliantly to find space and whip a cross into the box but there was nobody there to to tap the ball into Rubin’s net.

The Gambian flashed another ball into the box with 73 minutes played but Sam Smith’s header was glanced wide of the post.

Shot-stopper Mannone was called into action again when his finger-tip save denied a near-perfect free-kick.

Rubin came again and this time Moore had to spare Mannone as he cleared a goal-bound header away from the line.

Lewis Ward was introduced for the final 10 minutes to earn his first taste of pre-season action following a successful loan spell at Aldershot Town.

And second-half substitute Swift thought he had won the game for Reading when he got on the end of another pin-point Barrow cross.

Swift rose above his marker but his powerful downward header was sensationally denied by Rubin’s shot-stopper.

The Russian side continued to probe Royals’ back line but Clement’s defence held strong to claim a 0-0 draw in Austria.

Royals will now return to Hogwood Park and prepare to face Premier League side Crystal Palace next week having not won a single pre-season game so far.

After that, they face Derby County at home on August 3 (8pm ko, live on Sky) for the first game of the new season.

Reading FC: Mannone (Ward, 80), Gunter, McShane (Moore,45), Ilori, Clement (Kelly, 61), Rinomhota (Meyler, 61), Aluko (Smith, 45), Blackett (Richards, 45), Barrow, Meite (Yiadom, 70), McNulty (Swift, 70)

Subs not used: Loader, Edwards.