Richard Wilford
BBC Radio WM commentator

On Charlie Savage's booking near the end of the first half...

That's is the closest to something out of his dad's playbook that we've seen from Charlie Savage, he's hit Laird at about waist height and on another day you get into more trouble for that.

It's all square at the halfway stage at the Select Car Leasing Stadium and the Royals fans applaud the efforts of their team.

Neither side have created too much and Reading have held their own against the runaway League One leaders.

That goal was Connor O'Riordan's seventh for Crewe, and first since November 2023 - when he scored twice in a 3-2 win over Doncaster.

Like father, like son? Reading's Charlie Savage comes into Ethan Laird with one heck of a heavy challenge and that's as clear a yellow you'll see.

Agricultural tackle and that's a fifth booking of the season for the 21-year-old.

Image source, Rex Features

We're played two of the five added minutes at the end of the first half.

Scott Wright went off injured for Blues after about 10 minutes, hence the stoppages. Can either get their noses in front before the break?

Defender Connor O'Riordan's forward-like instincts in the box send Lee Bell's side to the dressing room one goal to the good.

Barrow have threatened, though, so this one is far from a done a deal at the break.

No action at the goalmouth but Morecambe were getting on top in terms of momentum at the end of that half.

Could a big upset be on the cards?

Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM

Reading are really eager to get after Blues, if we can show that bit of consistency and composure we can pick them apart.

The pitch is playing a part in this, and that probably suits Reading more than it does Blues.

Goalless at the break in the South Yorkshire derby and not a great deal to shout about.

No wins in four for the Millers, no wins in six for Barnsley and those runs are going to continue if their isn't an improvement in the second half from either side.

A few moans and groans around the New York Stadium as a Rotherham corner into the box is hit straight at Barnsley defender Marc Roberts who is able to clear.

The Millers work it into the box again and Mallik Wilks fires one across the box and it just takes a deflection and evades the Rotherham players arriving in the area.

Morecambe striker Marcus Dackers beats his defender on the turn and rifles a shot at goal.

It's got power but is straight into the gloves of Walsall keeper Tommy Simkin.

The Shrimps are starting to carve themselves more and more opportunities now.

Barnsley work a clever routine from a corner and play it back to the edge of the box for the onrushing Corey O'Keeffe but his shot is well blocked. Inventive stuff but still all square as we approach the half-time interval.

A fine response from the visitors, and an equally superb save from Filip Marschall in the home goal.

Aaron Pressley rises highest from a cross, but the on-loan Aston Villa keeper keeps out the header from point-blank range.

Twelve clean sheets so far this season for the Crewe stopper, and it's not hard to see why with reactions like that.

A decent chance for Birmingham as Alex Cochrane fires in a teasing ball from the left.

It comes all the way to Willum Willumsson about 15 yards out but he can't get over the ball and skies it miles into the air and over the bar.

Marc Roberts shows wonderful technique to fire in a cross from the right touchline for Barnsley but Dillon Phillips comes out of his goal well to catch for Rotherham.

Impressive ball in by Roberts, but still no reward.

As soon as you think Walsall are beginning to turn the screw, the game turns on it's head.

Saddlers midfielder Jamie Jellis tries a sharp shot at goal when but it's no where near it's intended target and the ball ends up at the other end moments later.

Lee Angol is the Shrimps player who is given the opportunity for an opener but his shot - like Jellis' - goes high.

Reading win a corner on the right and it's met by Wolves loanee Chem Campbell at the near post but his header flies over the top.

Moments later, Royals attacker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan gets in behind the Birmingham backline but can't bring it under control and Blues keeper Ryan Allsop can eventually deal with the danger.

Paul Joannou
Walsall summariser on BBC Radio WM

Promising start for Walsall, I think the Saddlers have wrestled control of this one, and I think Mat Sadler will be happy with what he's seen so far this afternoon.

Joe Powell puts in a dangerous cross from the left for Rotherham but it's excellently defended and headed behind by Marc Roberts for a corner.

The Millers aren't able to make anything of the resulting set-piece, but they're just putting on a bit of pressure in the final third now, though.