A dogged Reading performance ensured the Royals end the hectic festive period unbeaten, drawing 0-0 with Charlton Athletic at the Valley.

More than 2,600 fans travelled from Berkshire and despite the hosts dominating most of the action, and having a goal ruled out for offside, the Royals took a point from South-East London.

Struggling with injuries and illness after a hectic festive period, Reading loanee Chem Campbell was not involved against his former team and is unlikely to play again with his loan deal expiring this week. Young full-backs Kelvin Abrefa and Andre Garcia started in more advanced roles and impressed.

Two sides high on confidence after three straight wins, the opening stages flew by in what was a competitive half which lacked any real goalscoring chances.

The Royals best chance came after 15 minutes as Abrefa’s cutback found Harvey Knibbs jogging on the spot in the penalty box, only for Lloyd Jones to dive in and block the shot before Ashley Maynard-Brewer was tested.

As the half wore on, the Addicks grew stronger and half-chances came semi-regularly. Thierry Small fizzed a shot narrowly over the crossbar from 35 yards and shortly after he saw an attempt fly wide of the near post from a closer range.

Despite the growing pressure, it took until nine minutes from the break for the first shot on target of the game. Harlee Dean lost possession and Tyreece Campbell was baring down on goal, but the forward could only fire down the throat of Joel Pereira.

If the first half was relatively chance free, the second half was far from that as both teams pressed to find the winner.

Within 60 seconds Sam Smith could have put the visitors ahead, Knibbs feeding the striker into the box but unable to beat the keeper, who deflected behind for a corner.

The Addicks did have the ball in the back of the net within 10 minutes of the restart, but the linesman’s flag cut short Campbell’s celebrations after beating Pereira with a curling finish. The hosts were very much the more threatening of the two sides, with Pereira forced into two fine saves and Harlee Dean required to block one powerful effort off the line after the keeper spilled a cross in the six-yard box.

Pushing hard for a winner as the minutes ticked down, Small fizzed another effort over the bar and Charlie Savage was required to make a huge last-ditch tackle on Campbell to ensure the forward did not get an effort on goal inside the box.

Huffing and puffing, Charlton were on the ascendancy but the Royals held firm and through their bodies on the line right to the bitter end.

Capping off a strong festive period after wins over Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Cambridge United, the Royals head into the FA Cup test with Burnley in the play-offs.