JOSE Gomes accepts draws may not be enough to save his Reading FC side from the drop.

Royals drew 0-0 for the second game in a row after a stalemate at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

They remain in the drop zone and one point from safety with 15 matches remaining ahead of a home clash against Blackburn Rovers this Wednesday.

Royals have won just once in eight Championship games under Gomes, though they have collected four clean sheets in that run.

However, the Portuguese manager accepts it is victories they need in order to climb away from relegation danger.

He said: “We have resolved one important problem. We are stronger now in our defensive organisation, it is not easy to score goals against us.

“It will give confidence to us in the future and it is an important sign that we are defending well and defending properly. We were able to protect our goal on Saturday. If you don’t score, you don’t suffer as much and you’re nearer to getting a win – one goal will do.

“We know that we need to win though. If we draw all of our games until the end, it may not be enough. We need more points to be safe. At home or away, we need to get more points. Hopefully this will come on Wednesday, we will score more and win.”

Royals are also struggling for goals having netted just five times in their last nine league fixtures.

On Saturday they were missing on-loan Norwich City striker Nelson Oliveira with a broken nose following an alleged stamp by Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings.

However, Oliveira has been fitted with a facemask and could be passed fit for Wednesday’s clash against Blackburn.

Gomes’ men were indebted to another excellent display from on-loan Arsenal keeper Emiliano Martinez to preserve a point against Steve Bruce’s Owls.

The Argentine made several outstanding saves including a stunning double stop to deny Sam Hutchinson and Fernando Forestieri in the first half.

Royals also had their chances as Sone Aluko, Lewis Baker, Liam Moore, Mo Barrow and Tyler Blackett all went close, though Adam Reach missed a late sitter to win it for the hosts.

Gomes added: “It was a very difficult pitch, windy weather and it was not easy to get the ball on the ground. I didn’t always like the way we played, it was more direct football than usual which is not under our process.

“In the second half we played better and both sides had good chances. It’s true that Emi Martínez made one good save again, but there were one or two good opportunities for us.”

He continued: “I’m not pleased for the result, because we played for the three points. But we hope that this is one more important point towards our target.

“They played better in the first half, and we played better in the second, so in the end it was a fair result.”

Royals also travel to Sheffield United on Saturday (3pm).