Reading boss Noel Hunt felt his side had 'earned their luck' in a dogged 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic.

The Royals had to clear two efforts off the line and saw a Tyreece Campbell shot ruled out for offside at the Valley as both sides looked for a fourth successive win.

Completing a period of 10 points from 12 over the festive period, the Royals earned their first away clean sheet since April in front of more than 2,600 travelling supporters.

Speaking after the match, Hunt said: "With the work that we’ve put in over the last three or four weeks, and before, they deserve that little bit of luck that we maybe hadn’t had in the last three or four games. I thought the boys were amazing today."

Most of the focus was on the backline, with Amadou Mbengue returning from illness to fill in at right-back and teenager Abraham Kanu starting at left-back. Tyler Bindon and Harlee Dean were imperious and managed to bail out goalkeeper Joel Pereira after the stopper uncharacteristically dropped a cross.

Instilling in his young side a pride which comes with earning a clean sheet, Hunt continued: "We had two or three [chances] but the clean sheet was so important to us- we haven’t had one since last year away from home. It was massive in terms of how we defend as a team. We tightened up a few things and the boys battled all the way through. It was a young team: Abraham [Kanu], Kelvin on came back training last week and played right wing. Andre battled well today.

"Away from home it is important that we have a strong base. The structure and skeleton of our team is really good in terms of our spine. We have experience all over the pitch there. The boys in midfield were outstanding today- Charlie Savage with the block in the last seconds is credit to him. Harlee Dean using his experience and taking one off the line. A point away from home against these- they don’t drop many at home and have an experienced side. You see Chuks Aneke coming on and think ‘Wow, let’s go.’ I’m really impressed with the boys."

Ensuring the side remain unbeaten after New Year's Day's win over Cambridge United, the Royals sit in the top six heading into a fortnight off League One action.

"It is really important that we go away from home and are stubborn to beat, first and foremost," Hunt concluded. "If you keep a clean sheet, you have the chance to win the game. We have so many young lads in the team it is important we understand the importance of a clean sheet.

"Amadou hasn’t trained all week- he’s probably only eaten one meal- and it shows the character. Harlee has come in, experienced, and done well. Tyler is 19 and you have Abraham who is 19. These lads are learning the game and the pride in keeping a clean sheet. It is like scoring a goal and that is their job."