Jon Stead made it three goals in three games against Reading as Blues stretched the unbeaten run to five matches.

The Town striker followed up his debut goal against the Royals at Portman Road last term and then a spectacular overhead kick in the return at the Madejski with a volley to give Blues an early lead.

Reading levelled two minutes after the break with Simon Church forcing the ball in from close range and the striker came closest to finding a winner, his shot smashing against the bar 15 minutes from time.

Roy Keane made one change from the team that beat Derby last weekend, Tamas Priskin coming in for Liam Trotter, with Jon Walters operating in a midfield role.

Marek Matejovsky had a shot blocked by Grant Leadbitter, Walters firing over at the other end in a bright start to the game that saw Town take the lead on nine minutes. David Wright's long throw wasn't cleared by the Reading defence and Stead's looped volley beat Adam Federici and landed in the top of the net.

Alex Bruce was in the right place to clear from Jobi McAnuff's cross, Gylfi Sigurdsson then having a shot deflected wide by Liam Rosenior, who was greeted by boos every time he touched the ball on his return to the Madejski.

It didn't affect the loanee in any way and he did well to deny Sigurdsson as he looked to get around the back of the Town defence.

Brian Howard hit the top of the bar from 30 yards after he had robbed Stead, while at the other end the Town frontman almost got in from Walters' pass.

Asmir Begovic was quick off his line to clear from Church after Wright's clearance had been blocked, Federeci in the right place to save from Stead's powerful strike.

The Reading 'keeper was forced into action again on 35 minutes, diving to his right to save from Priskin, Stead then turning sharply to shoot just over.

Grzegorz Rasiak was inches away from an equaliser with a far post header after Wright and Alan Quinn had got in each other's way allowing McAnuff the space to cross as Reading pressed for an equaliser.

Church and McAnuff both had half chances to score before the break but two minutes into the second-half Reading were back on level terms, Church deflecting the ball in from close range.

Town responded with a drive from Priskin going just wide , the Hungarian international then sending a header from Rosenior's cross straight at Federeci from six yards.

Rosenior did well at the other end to clear from Church as he burst through on goal, McAnuff dragging his shot wide from the angle.

Federeci saved from Damien Delaney at his nearpost following a corner before Town made a first change, Jaime Peters on for Edwards just before the hour, while Rasiak made way for Shane Long. McAnuff fired over before Blues introduced Pablo Counago, the hard working Stead replaced.

The Spaniard was almost in after Walters' shot was initially spilt by Federeci, while Rosenior was in the right place again to head off the line following a Reading free-kick.

Reading made a second and third change for the last 15 minutes, Kalifa Cisse and Jimmy Kebe on for Howard and Sigurdsson.

Town had a lucky escape when Church smashed his shot against the bar, Rosenior deflecting McAnuff's follow up shot wide, with Reading also appealing for a penalty after Alan Quinn's challenge on Long. The Irishman replaced by Jack Colback for the last 10 minutes.

The outstanding Rosenior cleared off the line as Reading threatened a winner, Town then having a gilt edged chance - Priskin curling a left footer wide after neat play between Counago and Walters in the last effort as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

Reading: Federeci, Tabb, Pearce, Ingimarsson, Bertrand, McAnuff, Matejovsky Howard (Kebe 75), Sigurdsson (Cisse 75), Church, Rasiak (Long 61). Subs not used: Gunnarsson, Karacan, Hamer, O'Dea.

Town: Begovic, Rosenior, Bruce, Delaney, D.Wright, Edwards (Peters 59), Leadbitter, Quinn (Colback 80), Walters, Priskin, Stead (Counago 64). Subs not used: Lee-Barrett, Healy, Brown, Wickham.
Att: 19,053