Reading's play-off ambitions suffered a blow as they could only manage a goalless draw with Walsall at the Madjeski Stadium.

Reading were knocked out of the FA Cup by Walsall on penalties but could not get their revenge with a league win.

The Royals dominated for long periods but rarely looked like a side with genuine promotion ambitions.

A disjointed affair badly needed some inspiration early on with both teams struggling to create anything up front.

And, former Walsall striker Martin Butler summed up the opening spell with a wild mis-hit from outside the box which flew high over keeper James Walker's crossbar.

But the home side were desperately unlucky to see Forster rattle the frame of the goal in the 33rd minute with a drive which gave Walker no chance.

Butler could only lift the rebound into the crowd.

Brazilian Junior then almost gave Walsall the lead with a 37th-minute shot which Marcus Hahnemann did well to hold.

Andy Hughes had the first opportunity of the half for the hosts on 57 minutes with an ambitious header from 18 yards which was never going to trouble Walker.

Reading boss Pardew soon replaced Nicky Forster with Jamie Cureton as the crowd began to grow restless in the second half.

The striker was involved straight away, firing wide from 20 yards, and Butler then headed straight at Walker from a promising position.

And two minutes from time, Cureton had the opportunity to snatch a scarcely-deserved win with a six-yard shot which Walker parried brilliantly to secure a valuable away point for the Saddlers.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Mackie, Brown, Igoe, Harper, Newman, Hughes, Butler, Forster. Subs: Ashdown, Viveash, Cureton, Tyson, Salako.

Walsall: Walker, Bazeley, Aranalde, Carbon, Hay, Wrack, Simpson, Emblen, Corica, Junior, Leitao. Subs: Ward, Matias, Zdrilic, Wright, Martinez.

Referee: P Joslin (Nottinghamshire)