The Football Pink

Fifth played sixth at Home Park, and for 90 minutes neither could find a way through. In front of 16,316, including 1,350 from Reading, Plymouth and Reading had chances to win it, but neither could take them. Argyle stay a point ahead of the Royals, and both are further behind Huddersfield.

Argyle came out flying. Xavier Amaechi was causing problems down the right from the start, and in the ninth he picked out Bim Pepple, only for Josh Knight to throw himself in front of the shot. Harvey White tested Joel Pereira twice from distance, once from open play and once from a free-kick taken from wide.

The one that got away

Reading had a much better chance on 16 minutes. James Storer, on his league debut in the Argyle goal, had already fumbled a looping header before grabbing it at the second attempt. Then Kyreece Lisbie went round him and fired wide.

The first half was full of incident. Will Evans was booked for pulling back Josh Stokes, then glanced a fierce Amaechi cross just wide. White put a free-kick from just outside the box into the wall, and on 41 minutes Argyle captain Joe Edwards met Jeriel Dorsett's header from a Wes Harding long throw with a volley that flew just wide. Argyle had ten attempts in the first half to Reading's five.

Wing hits the post

The second half was scrappier. Randell Williams had a first-time shot from a well-worked corner routine, and Tyreeq Bakinson got a vital touch to send it over the bar. Pereira had to tip a long-range drive over. Then Lewis Wing, Reading's captain, curled one that clipped the outside of the left post. Nobody came closer all afternoon.

Leam Richardson sent on Jack Marriott, back from injury, after 63 minutes, and he forced a low save from Storer. Argyle brought back Malachi Boateng from injury too, and Mathias Ross was left waiting on the touchline by referee Stephen Martin, who said the change had taken too long, before he was allowed on.

Reading won 4-1 on their last visit here, on Boxing Day. This time it finished goalless. Argyle, who'd won only three home games before today, had the better of a lively first half but couldn't turn it into a fourth.

"As close to a Championship fixture"

Tom Cleverley had no complaints, and plenty of praise for the occasion.

It was two good teams going at it, blow for blow, a good game. An eventful 0-0 very similar to the draw we had at their place last year. I felt it was as close to a Championship fixture… or a big FA Cup game with their travelling support really good and almost a full house.

Tom Cleverley, Plymouth Argyle boss

After defeats by Huddersfield and Stevenage last week, he was pleased with how Argyle shut down the division's top scorers. "Reading and Huddersfield are the best two transition teams in the league," he said. "We just needed the ball to fall to an Argyle shirt because we were close to nicking it today."

Leam Richardson knew which moment he'd be replaying.

I think Kyreece (Lisbie) going through one on one should possibly have scored and I think there was a handball so we should have had a penalty. Sometimes you just have to move on from it and deal with it the best you can.

Leam Richardson, Reading boss

He called it "a hard-earned point for both teams" and said Reading "lacked the final pass, a little bit of control in their half". On reflection, though, a point and a clean sheet at Home Park would bring "plenty of positives".