Forest held by Royals

Nothing to separate two teams at the City Ground

Last updated: 10th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Forest held by Royals

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Nottingham Forest and Reading marked their returns to the Championship with a 0-0 draw at the City Ground.

The two clubs encountered contrasting past seasons, with Forest securing promotion from League One and Reading being relegated from the Premier League.

But there was little on show to suggest two divisions separated the clubs last term as chances were at a premium.

New signing Rob Earnshaw had decent opportunities in each half for Forest, and Kevin Doyle was denied by home keeper Paul Smith, while Reading saw Marek Matejovsky stretchered off in the first period.

The naturally left-footed Jimmy Kebe was causing Forest problems and his raiding run in from the right was halted by a Wes Morgan challenge that could have earned a penalty but referee Stuart Attwell was unmoved.

Guy Moussi, signed in the summer from French side SCO Angers, was also making a big impression in the centre of midfield and his shot from distance had to be smartly fielded by Marcus Hahnemann in the Reading goal.

Ominous

But neither keeper was stretched beyond their limits in the opening 45 minutes.

The first half ended on an ominous note for Reading with Czech international midfielder Matejovsky being stretchered off with an ankle injury.

Stephen Hunt, playing in a left-back role after the sale of Nicky Shorey, created a chance for substitute Kalifa Cisse but he dragged his shot wide as both sides continued to find their range.

A flurry of crosses from Forest's right caused problems in Reading's defence but centre-backs Ibrahima Sonko and Ivar Ingimarsson remained dominant in the face of Forest's short strikeforce.

As Forest searched for the winner, Paul Smith was forced to pull off a fine reaction save from Kevin Doyle's header after further good work from Hunt on the left.

Earnshaw created a late chance but his shooting failed to mach his build-up play and Hahnemann gathered easily.

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