Playoff-chasing Reading are level at half time in the Championship clash with Derby County at the Madejski Stadium, but will play the second half with 10 men after Orlando Sa was sent off before the interval.
The Rams, who picked up their first victory of the season at Preston North End on Saturday, almost took the lead inside the opening minutes as Jeff Hendrick, in for the injured Chris Baird, fired narrowly wide of Jonathan Bond's goal.
However, Reading also carried their own attacking threat in the early stages, with Nick Blackman's strike from distance being saved by the recalled Scott Carson.
Carson was in action again moments later as he watched Stephen Quinn's speculative effort drift off target.
At the other end, Tom Ince tried to fashion a breakthrough for the visitors as his cross was met by the head of Richard Keogh, but his attempt was kept out by Bond.
Then summer signing Jacob Butterfield twice saw a shot blocked by the Royals backline as Derby looked for a second win in a week.
Later in the half, Carson again needed to be alert as Matej Vydra teed up Oliver Norwood before the ex-Liverpool stopper managed to get down low to his right to save.
However, Reading's fortunes took a turn for the worse after Sa was dismissed following his clash with Jason Shackell.
Chris O'Keefe
