Reading again failed to find the net as they were held to a goalless draw at home to play-off hopefuls Preston.
After a great first half of the season, where they averaged two goals a game, the Royals have now gone 269 minutes without scoring.
Despite dominating they could not score and were denied a penalty when Youl Mawene appeared to clear Jimmy Kebe's cross-shot off the line with his hand.
John Parkin had a chance to win it for Preston but he blasted his shot wide.
Reading manager Steve Coppell: "Our home form has been such that teams are not having a go at us, which wasn't the case earlier in the season. Now we have just got to adjust and see what we can do about it.
"We needed more precision in our finishing when we got opportunities and better deliveries from the wide areas but all in all I am OK with it. We were the team looking to go forward and to have a go.
"There are always going to be highs and lows. It's a 46-game season not 31."
Preston manager Alan Irvine: "We knew we would have to defend well as Reading have the best home record in the country, let alone the division.
"The lads deserve a lot of credit. It's a fantastic point for us, there's no question about that.
"I felt we could get something here but only if we were at our best. Today the lads did their jobs."
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