Reading 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

Andy Lonergan moved to Bolton in 2012 from Leeds United

Andy Lonergan pulled off several late saves for Bolton as they stretched their unbeaten run to five matches with a goalless draw at Reading.

Glenn Murray and Jordan Obita missed early chances in a poor first half.

Tim Ream's close-range header forced a good save from home goalkeeper Adam Federici before Michael Hector missed three good chances for the Royals.

Darren Pratley went close for Bolton and Lonergan made a stunning one-handed save late on to deny Danny Williams.

The result means Bolton move up to 17th in the Championship, while Reading remain in 14th.

Max Clayton flashed a low centre across the face of the home goal early on but no team-mate was on hand to provide the vital touch.

Reading responded quickly from an Obita corner on the right which Hector nodded on, but Murray was unable to get a clean connection at the far post and headed tamely wide.

Obita should have done better when latching onto a Garath McCleary cross but showed poor control and the chance went begging.

Reading tried to up the tempo as the half wore on, with McCleary taking too long over a shot from outside the area, which was blocked, and Oliver Norwood firing a 20-yard free-kick harmlessly over.

Just before half-time, another Obita corner ricocheted among a mass of bodies until landing at Murray's feet, but his close-range effort struck McCleary and rebounded to safety.

Tim Ream's close-range header was well kept out by Federici, before Reading launched a fierce assault.

In the space of only a few minutes, centre-back Hector missed three good chances - nodding over an Obita corner, slicing a shot wide and then being denied by Lonergan's agile save from his firm header.

Bolton also counter-attacked swiftly, as Pratley went close with a powerful cross-shot and Ream missed the target when unguarded at the far post.

But Bolton were again indebted to Lonergan near the end when he made a superb save to keep out a stinging 25-yard attempt by Williams.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins:

"We had more than enough opportunities to win the game. We looked a massive threat, especially from set-pieces.

"We were dominant going in at half time but, afterwards, we just couldn't get that all-important goal that probably changes the mood of everyone."

Bolton manager Neil Lennon:

"It's never easy coming to a stadium again after such a defeat as that [last season's 7-1 loss]. But we showed plenty of character today.

"We played very well in the first half without really hurting Reading. At times, on the counter-attack, in the second half, we were very good. We just missed the final pass or the finish."