Reading 0-0 Northampton

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Reading were knocked off the top of the Second Division by a determined Northampton side who held on for a draw.

This was Reading's sixth draw in seven games, but they only have themselves to blame.

They dominated from start to finish but were unable to break down a stubborn Northampton defence.

Reading almost made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute when John Mackie's header smacked against the crossbar from Kevin Watson's corner.

And the best chance of all fell to leading scorer Nicky Forster 14 minutes from time.

But to the dismay of a 16,000 crowd Forster blasted high over the bar.

James Hunt should have done better for Northampton when a Watson error set him up with a late chance, but he shot well wide of the Reading goal.

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Reading: Whitehead, Murty, Shorey, Mackie, Viveash, Hughes, Watson, Parkinson, Salako, Forster, Cureton. Subs: Rougier, Williams, Harper, Henderson, Talia.

Northampton: Welch, Burgess, Sampson, Hope, Hunter, McGregor, Hunt, Frain, Marsh, Hargreaves, Parkin. Subs: Sollitt, Hodge, Forrester, Asamoah, Carruthers.

Referee: W Jordan (Tring).