Reading 0 Barnsley 0: Paul Heckingbottom happy to frustrate Jaap Stam

After a game of few chances Reading slipped to fourth and Stam said: “We had most of the ball and possession, but you should also look at the opposition and see what they’re doing. What was their intention?

“To get a point. Yes, there you have it. Normally, this team (Barnsley) wants to play and wants to go forward, but now they come here and they sit, they make it as small and as tight as they can.”

Barnsley dropped to 10th, but Heckingbottom said: “I was pleased with us with the ball and without the ball. The bit that was missing was the end product.

“We got in some really good positions, but, apart from hitting the post, we hit the target only once. That was the story of the game for us. We approach every game to try to get the win. I know what a good side Reading are, but I honestly believed that we would score.”

After a poor first half, in which neither side impressed, Reading almost went in front early in the second period.

Chris Gunter crossed and Yann Kermorgant’s fierce first-time effort was well saved by goalkeeper Adam Davies.

Barnsley replied through Marley Watkins, who struck a post from close range, and Adam Hammill, who should have done better, but drove over when finding himself free at the far post.

Reading launched a late rally, but Davies made another fine stop from Danny Williams.

Reading: Al Habsi, Gunter, Moore, Blackett, Obita, Evans, Williams, McCleary (Popa 82), Kelly (Grabban 46), Beerens (Meite 90), Kermorgant. Unused substitutes: Swift, Watson, Jaakkola, Oxford.

Barnsley: Davies, Jones, Roberts, MacDonald, Yiadom, Williams (Armstrong 67), Scowen (Moncur 48), James, Hammill (Kent 89), Watkins, Bradshaw. Unused substitutes: Townsend, Evans, Hedges, Elder.

Referee: D Bond (Lancashire).