Royals had the better of the limited chances and saw two penalty appeals turned down on Wednesday night.

Boss Nigel Adkins will also take confidence from a clean sheet after shipping three goals at home against Wolves on Sunday.

Yet they lacked a cutting edge in the box and are now four games without a win in all competitions

Adkins kept faith with the same side that drew 3-3 with Wolves on Sunday, with

Hal Robson-Kanu replacing Aaron Kuhl in the only change on the bench.

Meanwhile, Darko Milanic made two changes for his first home game as Liam Cooper and Casper Sloth come in for Stephen Warnock and Rodolph Austin.

Former Royals Billy Taylor and Stuart Taylor were also named on the Leeds bench.

Leeds may have had a slow start to the campaign but they had only conceded two league goals at home before Wednesday night.

But they almost conceded a third when ex-Sheffield United ace Nick Blackman let rip with a dipping 25-yarder that forced the best out of Marco Silvestri.

The visitors' bright start continued when Glenn Murray headed over from the corner before Simon Cox's effort from the rebound tested Silvestri again.

Leeds gradually found a foothold as Alex Mowatt and Mirco Antenucci shot over the bar.

Giuseppe Bellusci also missed the target from a perfect position after Oliver Norwood conceded a free-kick.

But Reading grew stronger again and Norwood blazed over from distance before Michael Hector's header was held by Silvestri.

Adkins and his players were then shouting for a penalty when Jake Taylor went down in the box only for referee Tony Harrington to wave play on.

Blackman was a thorn in Leeds' side all night and only another fine save by Silvestri stopped him from breaking the deadlock.

The hosts then saw Rudy Austin put a free-kick into the stands after Reading were left stetched at he back.

And Sharp threatened to ruin Royals' night, but Federici was equal to his shot.

However, it ended in frustration for the visitors when Blackman went down in the box late on and nothing was given.

Reading are now four matches without a win in all competitions and go to Brentford this Saturday (3pm ko) before a two-week international break.

Leeds: Silvestri, Byram, Bellusci, Pearce, Cooper, Cook (Murphy 58), Bianchi, Mowatt (Austin 66), Sloth, Antentucci (Sharp 82), Doukara. Subs: Taylor, Warnock, Wootton, Morison. Booked: Cooper 64, Bellusci 65, Doukara 69.

Reading: Federici, Gunter (C), Obita, Pearce, Hector, Akpan (Guthrie 70), Norwood, Taylor (Mackie 76), Cox (Robson-Kanu 74), Blackman, Murray. Subs: Andersen, Long, Cooper, Pogrebnyak. Booked: Hector 18, Blackman 64, Mackie 79, Pearce 90, Federici 90.

Referee: Tony Harrington.

Attendance: 20,705.