Stoke extended their unbeaten run to four games as the two promoted teams cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw at the Madejski Stadium.

A low-quality second half failed to settle the issue after two first-half strikes had looked likely to set up an entertaining finish.

Tony Rougier put the home side ahead inside 11 minutes as the Royals went looking to increase their stranglehold in fixtures between the teams.

But Stoke's Belgian midfielder Jurgen Vandeurzen levelled seven minutes before the break as the two mid-table sides went blow for blow.

Reading, fresh from a win at Wolves, were quick to get into their stride.

Stoke's defence failed to stop John Salako getting in a cross that eluded Jamie Cureton but found Rougier, who netted from the edge of the penalty area.

Stoke had already wasted a chance when Andy Cooke headed straight at keeper Marcus Hahnemann from Peter Hoekstra's cross.

Hoekstra, a former Dutch international, impressed as he made a rare start following a series of injuries.

His pace caused problems for the home defence but he and strike partner Cooke showed a tendency to run offside.

Graeme Murty shot wide from 20 yards in the 19th minute, when Neil Cutler looked to have the effort covered.

And nine minutes later Stoke midfielder James O'Connor saw his 25-yard effort just beat the right-hand post.

Stoke drew level in the 39th minute when Vandeurzen pounced from the edge of the area to bury an effort low past Hahnemann.

Andy Hughes was guilty of shooting too high in the 67th minute as Reading continued to press forward.

But neither side was able to create a clear-cut opportunity, with midfields battling for supremacy.

O'Connor had Stoke's best effort of the second half, but Hahnemann was equal to the task, blocking the 18-yard effort.

Reading: Hahnemann, Mackie, Upson, Williams, Murty, Hughes, Watson, Newman, Salako, Rougier, Cureton. Subs: Shorey, Forster, Igoe, Tyson, Ashdown.

Stoke: Cutler, Thomas, Clarke, Handyside, Shtanuk, Gudjonsson, O'Connor, Henry, Vandeurzen, Cooke, Hoekstra. Subs: Viander, Iwelumo, Goodfellow, Neal, Marteinsson.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire)