Leeds United 0 Reading 0: Leeds out of play-off zone after Reading stalemate

Such has been the stuttering nature of United’s form in 2011 – they had won just a third of their 18 games before the visit of Reading – the fear at Elland Road has been that the season was going to end with Simon Grayson’s side outside the top six.

That may still be the case, not least as Nottingham Forest’s win over Leicester City means Billy Davies’s side have replaced Leeds in the final play-off place on goal difference.

Hull City and Burnley could also draw level with the two former European Cup finalists on 66 points if they beat Middlesbrough and Derby County respectively today.

But, on the evidence of last night’s hugely encouraging performance against in-form Reading, United are still firmly in the hunt for promotion.

Certainly, if the Yorkshire side can perform in a similar vein during the final three games then their season may well be extended beyond May 7 after all.

Against a Reading side who had come into the game on the back of eight straight wins, United made the visitors look distinctly ordinary with a performance packed full of pace and power.

And had it not been for the heroics of Royals goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, United would surely have claimed all three points.

After making four changes to his starting line-up for the second consecutive game, Grayson got the response he wanted with United looking much more solid.

Reading did have some joy down the flanks in the early stages with Jobi McAnuff, in particular, giving makeshift left-back Eric Lichaj a torrid time. The visitors were also unfortunate not to go ahead on 12 minutes when McAnuff exchanged passes with Shane Long before bringing a fine block from Kasper Schmeichel.

Gradually, however, Leeds started to exert more and more control with captain Richard Naylor a tower of strength on his first appearance since October. He had fallen so far out of favour that most presumed the Leeds-born defender had played his last game for the club. However, with United having conceded 21 goals in the last 10 games, Grayson turned once again to Naylor and was rewarded with a fine display.

Going forward, the home side were also much improved – even though the absence of Luciano Becchio was keenly felt.

The Argentinian, out with a hamstring strain, has been the glue that has bonded the Leeds attack together for much of the season and his replacement Billy Paynter struggled to perform a similar role.

Nevertheless, United did come very close to breaking the deadlock in the first half on two occasions. First, a beautifully flighted cross from Bradley Johnson was met powerfully by Robert Snodgrass only for Alex McCarthy to pull off a stunning one-handed save. Then, on 37 minutes, it was Max Gradel’s turn to test the Royals goalkeeper, who was fortunate to see the ball trickle wide of the post after his fumbled block.

Grayson, in an attempt to force home his side’s domination of possession, opted to bring Neil Kilkenny on for the ineffective Jake Livermore at the interval.

It was a sensible decision, not least as the loanee from Spurs had been fortunate to avoid picking up a second yellow card six minutes before the break after a clumsy lunge at Long.

With Kilkenny’s renowned passing ability adding to Leeds’ attacking armoury, they started the second half on top.

In those early exchanges, Andy O’Brien flicked a header just wide and McCarthy had to race from his line to clear from Gradel after Bradley Johnson had forced the Reading backline into a mistake.

Johnson was the next to threaten the visitors half with a storming run and shot that saw the ball cannon off the crossbar before McCarthy pulled off a stunning double save to deny, first, a Gradel shot and then a Snodgrass header.

Mikele Leigertwood fired inches wide from 25 yards but it was Leeds who finished stronger, Sanchez Watt wasting a great chance to snatch all three points in the third minute of stoppage time.

It meant that Grayson’s men had to settle for just one point, though their display had at least meant a restoring of sporting pride to the city of Leeds following Yorkshire’s collapse to 86 all out and a 58-run defeat to Nottinghamshire at Headingley earlier in the day.

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Leeds United: Schmeichel; Connolly, Naylor, O’Brien, Lichaj; Livermore (Kilkenny 46), Johnson; Snodgrass, Howson (Watt 81), Gradel; Paynter (Somma 81). Unused substitutes: Higgs, Watt, Bannan, Bromby, McCormack.

Reading: McCarthy; Griffin, Mills, Khizanishvili, Harte; Robson-Kanu (Manset 81), Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff; Long, Hunt (Church 70). Unused substitutes: Federici, Tabb, Antonio, Howard, Pearce.

Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).