Reading keep Wolves at bay in goalless draw
Wolves' outside hopes of a Championship play-off place received a dent when they were held to a 0-0 draw at Reading.
James Henry created Wolves' best chances throughout, forcing three good saves from home goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.
Reading rarely fashioned any clear-cut openings, though Oliver Norwood did go close with a long-range effort in the second period.
Wolves had enjoyed the better recent form, with only one defeat in their previous seven matches.
But they had let slip a 2-0 lead against bottom side Bolton on Tuesday night, conceding twice in the last 10 minutes to draw 2-2.
Reading were marooned in mid-table after a poor run of only two wins in 12 league games.
After losing 2-1 at Ipswich Town on Tuesday, their chances of making the end-of-season play-off places deteriorated further.
Wolves made the brighter start as the rain lashed down at the Madejski Stadium, with Henry, the former Reading midfielder, causing most of the problems.
Henry raced through alone early on, after Wolves had sliced through the home cover, but Al Habsi was quick to snuff out the danger as he denied Henry with his feet.
Reading replied swiftly, with Hal Robson-Kanu seeing his close-range effort blocked by Wolves captain Danny Batth.
But Henry was again to the fore, a low 20-yard drive clipping the outside of a post as Al Habsi struggled to get near it.
Yann Kermorgant saw a goalbound shot deflected wide as Reading tried to make forward progress, and defender Jake Cooper drove over following a scramble from Norwood's corner.
Garath McCleary's weak effort was then comfortably saved by Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme.
And shortly before half-time, Al Habsi had to be alert at the other end to palm away a superb free-kick from Henry.
At the start of the second half, the same two players were involved again.
Chris Gunter made a hash of an intended headed backpass to Al Habsi, who had to rush to get back to his goal line.
Henry gathered the loose ball but delayed his shot a shade too long, allowing Al Habsi to make another fine save.
Reading were fortunate to escape from Gunter's blunder but could have broken the deadlock after a good run and cross from substitute Ola John.
The Wolves defence failed to clear the ball but Norwood's precisely placed 20-yard effort narrowly missed Ikeme's left-hand upright.
Wolves had half-chances near the end to claim all three points but Ethan Ebanks-Landell shot wide and Bjorn Sigurdarson had an effort blocked.
In a late flurry, Robson-Kanu and Kermorgant had opportunities for Reading but Ikeme saved Robson-Kanu's attempt and Kermorgant's volley flew over.
Source: PA
