Nottingham Forest and Reading were unable to find a breakthrough in a tense season opener at the City Ground.

Forest acquitted themselves well, but had keeper Paul Smith to thank as he produced a brilliant late save to parry Kevin Doyle's header on to the bar.

Rob Earnshaw was up front for injury-hit Forest, but could not find the net.

Reading midfielder Marek Matejovsky suffered an ankle ligament injury in the first half and the club confirmed he will be out for several weeks.

"You have to cope with injuries even though I would like to bring someone in while we are getting people fit.

"I thought we competed well with Reading but we know we have to improve if we are going to build on what we achieved last season."

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"A promoted team against a relegated one was an interesting start.

"I don't think we produced the kind of performance we would have really liked but that had a lot to do with the way Forest were set up.

"The midfield was congested. It was tough to create, particularly when we lost Marek Matejovsky through injury."

Booked: McGugan.

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Stephen Hunt, Kebe, Harper, Matejovsky (Cisse 42), Convey, Lita, Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Andersen, Long, Pearce, Kelly.

Booked: Kebe.

Att: 21,571

Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).