STEVE Clarke refused to blame the referee after Reading played out a goalless draw with Leeds United at the Madejski Stadium.

It was another drab affair for Royals fans to endure – with Clarke's side rarely threatening despite looking solid throughout.

However, it could've all been different had Sol Bamba seen red in the second minute when he brought down Hal Robson-Kanu as he moved in on goal.

Christopher Kavanagh was surrounded by Reading players asking for Bamba to be dismissed but he kept his red in his pocket and issued just a yellow card to the defender.

Leeds manager Uwe Rosler admitted following the game that he was concerned that his side would be down to 10 men, but Clarke refused to condemn the referee for keeping the numbers level.

“I don’t ask for players to get red cards after a game,” he said “The referee made his decision. It could have gone either way as Uwe said, but the referee chose to give a yellow.

“I think it was one of the only free-kicks he gave us all day, he gave plenty to Leeds.

It was a game of few chances, with the problems that have troubled Reading at home since Clarke took over continuing to haunt them.

Creativity was lacking, with Royals continuing to feel the absence of Garath McCleary and Tariqe Fosu.

Paolo Hurtado – who joined on Wednesday – was also absent as he was out of the country finalising his work permit.

The lively winger will take around two weeks to get up to speed once he starts training with his teammates – and Reading will be hoping he can hit the ground running to provide the spark that Clarke's side have been missing.

It was evident against Leeds that Reading were struggling but the Royals boss refused to criticise his side's performance.

“For us it was important to get our first point on the board,” he said. “It was another clean sheet which is a positive.

“It was two well organised teams, not wanting to give anything away.

“There weren’t too many chances created by either team. I don’t remember either keeper making too many saves.

“Maybe the best chance of the game was the one Orlando (Sa) had in the inside left position which he toe-punted into the side-netting.

There was a lovely moment in the 21st minute as fans from all corners of the ground rose to their feet to pay tribute to Eamonn Dolan.

The 47-year-old is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy after having a tumour removed from his bladder.

An idea was pitched to have a minute's applause in the 21st minute – in honour of the work he's done for Reading Under 21s – and it was a poignant moment as all four corners of the ground made plenty of noise for the Reading stalwart.