READING 0, BARNSLEY 0

STEVE COPPELL finally lost patience with his Reading team as another horror show left them looking as though they want to throw away their play-off place.

The Royals flopped at home again to lowly Barnsley who fully deserved the point that keeps them just above the drop zone.

Reading looked to be coasting to automatic promotion before Christmas. But two wins from 14 games have left them clinging on to a top six spot.

Boss Coppell confessed that his players deserved the half-time boos and accused them of lacking passion. He said: "It was a poor first half - it was as if there was nothing at stake.

"The very least our supporters can expect from my players is that they will wear their hearts on their sleeves.

"We have got to get three points from our remaining three games and if we don't do it we will stay where we are because we are not good enough."

Barnsley manager Simon Davey's decision to restore goalkeeper Luke Steele, in place of Heinz Muller, paid dividends. Steele pushed away Jay Tabb's fierce drive and then did well to grasp two glancing headers from Dave Kitson.

Blocked

But Steele saved his best effort for the second half when he brilliantly turned aside Tabb's deflected shot.

Barnsley defended as if their lives depended on it and did not threaten themselves until the 53rd minute. Anderson De Silva was first to react to a high bouncing ball but his half-volley was blocked by home goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann's leg.

In the dying seconds Steele again came to Barnsley's rescue when he grabbed another Kitson header on the line.

Davey added: "This a good point and a confidence booster before we play Coventry on Tuesday. I have got two fantastic goalkeepers but Luke was bursting at the bit to get into this team and had a fantastic game."

GAMES TO GO - READING: Tue v Derby (a); April 27 v Norwich (a); May 3 v Birmingham (h). BARNSLEY: Tue v Coventry (a); Sat v Wolves (h); May 3 v Plymouth (a).

• COVENTRY 0, READING 0
• BARNSLEY 1, NOTTM FOREST 1

This article has 0 comments