Nottingham Forest may only have picked up a point in their first game back in the Championship but it was a very encouraging performance. They dominating for long periods but in the end struggled to break down the Reading defence.

It was a positive first half performance by both sides as they got forward at every opportunity, with Forest having more opportunities.

But Robert Earnshaw, on his own up front, looked in need of support and was closed down effectively by two large Reading defenders.

Forest were on the attack from the kick-off, getting forward into the box, with Robert Earnshaw feeding the ball to Chris Cohen whose shot from the right was blocked by James Harper.

Forest did everything but score in the second half, creating most of the chances and threatening the Reading defence, although it was the away side who came closest to scoring, prevented from doing so by a great save from Paul Smith.

Reading, who looked dangerous when they got forward, came close with a shot straight at Paul Smith, which he instinctively parried away, but the offside flag was up.

And Forest made a quick break, but first Liam Rosenior cleared Earnshaw' effort and then Marcus Hahnemann grabbed the ball as it dropped down towards him.

Smith had an easier save to make when Rosenior got a shot in from 25 yards, but the Forest keeper dived to gather up the ball.

Guy Moussi had a shot from 25 yards blocked by Ibrahima Sonko and Earnshaw got on the end of the ball to lob it over the Reading keeper but he was offside.

As the chances came more and more frequently, Earnshaw was just inches wide when he shot from 25 yards out.

There was a break in play while Marek Matejovsky received treatment and was eventually stretchered off, replaced by Kalifa Cisse.

Moussi had another go at a long-range effort a minute before the break and this time his shot was on target, forcing Hahnemann to dive to his left to make the save.

There was a break in play early in the second half when Kelvin Wilson received treatment after Kevin Doyle came in to get the ball and caught the Forest defender with his studs.

Another long-range from Moussi earned Forest a corner and when Hahnemann lost the ball the referee blew for a foul on the keeper but there was no obvious contact.

Forest looked impressive as they built up play beautifully and put pressure on the Reading defence until Cisse and James Perch went down after clashing heavily.

Forest treatened again when McGugan got forward to feed the ball to Earnshaw but he was effectively blocked by the Reading defence.

Forest piled on the pressure, winning a series of corners, with Moussi in particular enchanting the home crowd with his skill.

Reading came their closest to getting a goal with ten minutes to go when Doyle picked up the cross from Stephen Hunt and headed from close range forcing a fantastic save from Smith, who put the ball off the crossbar and Julian Bennett made the clearance.

With seven minutes remaining Emile Sinclair replaced McGugan who received a standing ovation from the Forest supporters.

As three minutes of added time started Forest came close when Davies' header found Earnshaw. He got away from two players and ran to the edge of the penalty area, but he had an awkward shot to make and the ball went straight to the Reading keeper.

Reading had two corners in quick succession in the final seconds of the game but Bobby Convey sent the ball flying over the bar and the final whistle went on Smith's kick, to give Forest their first point of the season.

Nottingham Forest: Paul Smith, Kelvin Wilson(C), Wes Morgan, Luke Chambers, Julian Bennett, Guy Moussi, James Perch, Lewis McGugan(Emile Sinclair, 83min), Arron Davies(Garath McCleary 90+2), Chris Cohen, Robert Earnshaw
Subs not used: Dale Roberts, Ian Breckin, Matt Thornhill,
Bookings: McGugan 82min,

Reading: Marcus Hahnemann, Marek Matejovsky(vKalifa Cisse 42min), Leroy Lita, Kevin Doyle, Stephen Hunt, Jimmy Kebe, James Harper (C), Ivar Ingimarsson, Bobby convey, Liam Rosenior, Ibrahimi Sonko
Subs not used: Shane Long, Alex Pearce, Mikkel Andersen, Julian Kelly
Bookings: Kebe 88min

Referee: S Attwell

Attendance: 21,571 Away attn:1,538