READING FC are still without a league win this season after being held to a 0-0 draw on a day of frustration at home to MK Dons.

Steve Clarke's side bossed possession and chances, but were once again unable to convert it into goals.

Orlando Sa's wait for a Reading goal continues, and it is now six straight league games without a home goal for Reading, dating back to April 4.

There were some positive signs for the Royals, with Clarke's side looking much more of a threat than they have in recent weeks.

David Martin in the MK Dons goal was standout man-of-the-match, but a lot of times he was tested was from long-range.

Matej Vydra has been linked with Reading this week, and it's hard not to believe that he wouldn't have converted one of the chances presented.

The Reading boss will no doubt be trying even harder to lure him to the Madejski Stadium now, knowing that he is yet to address the striking issues on the pitch as we head into the final week of the transfer window.

Clarke made just one change from the side that drew with Sheffield Wednesday, with Jordan Obita recalled in place of Andrew Taylor.

Alex Fernandez was on the bench for Royals, with Clarke also opting to stick with Jonathan Bond in goal after his costly error in midweek.

In truth, the stopper barely had a save to make in a first half that Reading controlled from start to finish.

The closest Clarke's side came was in the 22nd minute when Hal Robson-Kanu failed to convert from six yards out.

Orlando Sa's shot was blocked into his path but from point-blank range he failed to connect properly and David Martin pushed it away.

Six minutes later and Sa had the ball in the back of the net with a fine header from Chris Gunter's cross but he was correctly flagged having strayed offside.

Danny Williams, Stephen Quinn and Oliver Norwood also went close through the first-half, with Reading doing all the running as they looked for the opening goal.

The closest that MK Dons came was when Simon Church's scuffed effort hit the outside of the post in the 36th minute but the Royals cleared the danger.

The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Reading dominating the possession and chances but Martin continued to deny them.

Aaron Tshibola saw his shot well saved before the visiting keeper made a fine, low save to deny Norwood's curling effort in the 66th minute.

Clarke introduced Simon Cox and Nick Blackman to the proceedings with just over 20 minutes left but they failed to make the desired impact.

Cox hasn't scored since December for the Royals, though Blackman did force Martin into another save from distance.

Fernandez was given his debut with three minutes remaining but it wasn't enough time to make an impact as the Royals were held despite dominating the game.

 

Reading: Bond; Gunter, Ferdinand, McShane, Obita; Norwood, Williams, Quinn, Tshibola; Robson-Kanu, Sa. Subs: Al-Habsi, Hector, Taylor, Fernandez, Blackman, Stacey, Cox7

MK Dons: Martin;Spence, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington, Potter, Poyet, Hall, Carruthers, Bowditch, Church. Subs: Cropper, Hudson, Upson, Powell, Baker, Murphy, Gallagher.

Attendance 16,546

Referee: