JAAP Stam criticised his team’s finishing following this afternoon’s 0-0 stalemate against Barnsley.

Yann Kermorgant, Garath McCleary and Roy Beerens all wasted decent chances to break the deadlock at an icy-cold Madejski Stadium.

But in truth Reading failed to test Tykes keeper Adam Davies enough on the day.

A second successive draw in the Championship also saw Royals conceded third place in the table to Huddersfield Town, 2-1 winners at QPR, though fifth-placed Leeds United were beaten at home by Cardiff City.

Stam argued: “We created chances but couldn’t score. Barnsley have quality players and they are a threat on the break, so we were happy not to concede ourselves and to pick up a point.

“I thought it was a good point because all the other teams around us will find it difficult to win all their home games as well.

“Of course, you want to win and the players are very disappointed they couldn’t do that.”

Marley Watkins almost put Barnsley ahead in the second half when he hit the woodwork.

But Reading saw a strong penalty appeal turned down late on when Chris Gunter went down under a challenge from ex-Royals Academy defender, Angus MacDonald.

“I haven’t seen a replay but it looked like a penalty,” suggested Stam. “Sometimes you understand a referee’s decision, sometimes you don’t.”

Royals boss also feels the threadbare Madejski Stadium pitch is becoming a major problem for his players.

“I don’t want to use the pitch as an excuse all the time, but it makes it difficult for us to play how we want to play, it’s not easy for us,” he added.

“But we keep on going and look to the next game at home to Brentford on Tuesday. Hopefully we can get a better result against them.”

He added: “It’s going to be tough to stay in that top six. Everyone is trying to end up there and those teams near us are very close together.

“It’s going to be hard with the run that we have ahead of us, but it will be interesting.”

Stam confirmed recent Crystal Palace loan signing Jordon Mutch suffered a groin injury in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town.

Mutch, who scored on his debut in that game, did not train at all last week and is a major doubt for Tuesday’s home clash against Brentford (8pm ko).