QPR 0-0 Reading: Rangers twice denied by crossbar in search for fourth straight win

QPR were denied a fourth successive win as struggling Reading kept them at bay in an eventful goalless draw at Loftus Road.

Rangers centre-back Toni Leistner was twice denied by the crossbar with volleyed efforts in either half, while Royals goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola made a string of impressive saves.

The draw ended a run of back-to-back defeats for Reading, who remain second from bottom, and gave new manager Jose Gomes his first point since taking charge before Christmas.

QPR have now slipped four points adrift of the play-off spots, despite having conceded just one goal in their past four league games.

Reading will have been encouraged by closing the gap to safety to two points, but they are without a win in nine matches and have only netted one goal in their past five league games.

They went close when Yakou Meite had a close-range shot cleared off the line by Darnell Furlong in the first half and a header well saved from Joe Lumley.

Danny Loader almost stole the win in stoppage time for the visitors but Lumley was able to palm behind his curling 20-yard shot.

As well as Leistner's two shots off the woodwork, Luke Freeman had a glorious chance for QPR with a volley that was turned behind by Jaakkola, who also made a smart save from Pawel Wszolek after Ebere Eze's through ball.

QPR manager Steve McClaren:

"Reading dominated possession in the first half, we couldn't get near the ball. I was delighted to go in 0-0 at half-time.

"The boys in the second half were immense. We should have won the game in the end so we're a bit frustrated with that.

"It took a while to adjust to the changes we made, but once we did that we caused them problems and but for a great save and the crossbar we'd have won the game.

We look forward to Aston Villa now on Tuesday. We'll need the squad - we've only got two days to recover but we'll go again."

Reading manager Jose Gomes told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"I enjoyed seeing the courage with which my players played today, it was positive, beautiful possession football in the first half.

"In the second half, we probably split control of the game with QPR, but the feeling is we have dropped two points.

"If you just watch this match, I don't think anyone could argue why we're in the bottom three. It means something, so we must capture these positive feelings for the future.

"We created a lot of good chances today and we pressured QPR in their half for long periods. I'm happy for what the players tried to do, but I'm not happy with the result."