Half-Time Report: Ipswich Town on top in goalless first half with Reading

Ipswich Town enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes against Reading at Portman Road but failed to find the goal that their play deserved.

The Royals hammered Bolton Wanderers 7-1 last time out but were finding chances much harder to come by against Mick McCarthy's side, who were more dangerous going forward than their opponents.

Stephen Hunt had two good chances to net his first Tractor Boys goal, as Luke Chambers set him up for a tame back-post volley from seven yards out that was blocked by Kasper Gorkss.

The Reading centre-back was again on hand to deny the Republic of Ireland international when he cleared off the line after Hunt had latched on to a Daryl Murphy knockdown and guided the ball goalwards.

Murphy himself had a shot on goal from long range, which was where Reading were restricted to having most of their efforts from. Garath McCleary fizzed a low shot just wide three minutes in and Daniel Williams forced Dean Gerken into a good save with a strike from distance minutes before the whistle.

The visitors nearly found themselves ahead in fortunate circumstances when Christophe Berra headed McCleary's cross against Pavel Pogrebnyak and the ball came within inches of rolling into the net.