FOR the hundreds of Newcastle United fans who missed the kick-off at the Madejski Stadium because of traffic congestion, they could at least take satisfaction from another positive result that keeps Rafael Benitez’s team on a clearer road to the Premier League.

Not even Reading fans’ chants of ‘we’ve got the points (record) 106 … and you’ll never sing that song’ could dampen the spirits among the 4,000 strong travelling supporters, who have clearly made up their mind that a Premier League return is in sight after an impressive eight days on tour.

The Magpies faithful regularly sang about ‘winning the league’ during 90 goalless minutes in Berkshire which brought an end to a hugely rewarding and confidence-boosting three-game period for Benitez and his men.

While victories for Brighton and Huddersfield reduced the gap to the Championship’s leaders on a night when Newcastle had to settle for a point, there can be no disguising the side which has taken command of the promotion race during the last fortnight.

Benitez and Newcastle may well have wished for a further three points and another away win which would have set a new club record of 14 in one season; the bigger picture is that the last three games have given them the edge in the fight for a Premier League return.

Seven points from a possible nine against three teams in the hunt for a top-flight spot would have been accepted before the first ball had been kicked at the beginning of the significant sequence of fixtures.

Now with ten matches remaining, 30 points to play for, Newcastle emerge from the testing run of away dates with a handsome nine-point lead to the play-off zone and a three-point cushion to Chris Hughton’s Brighton.

Having warmed up for the trip to the Madejski with back-to-back wins over their major promotion rivals, the pressure had been lifted from this game somewhat.

Benitez was having none of that, though, and had stressed the importance of treating this game in the same way as the previous two, against the Royals who had the best home record in the division.

Preparations were hindered slightly by doubts surrounding the fitness of Vurnon Anita and DeAndre Yedlin, with the latter left out completely. That meant Jesus Gamez made only the second league start of his Newcastle career at right-back.

Gamez needed a few solid early touches and he stuck to the task throughout the night even if Reading danger-man Garath McCleary, back from injury, grew into the game as the minutes ticked by.

Yoan Gouffran, who returned to the left, almost marked his recall with a goal. He recorded the first effort on target. His glancing header on the 18-yard box from Paul Dummett’s delivery was heading for the near post only for Ali Al-Habsi to gather at the second attempt.

By the time half-time had arrived it was a wonder Newcastle had not gone ahead. With the exception of a routine catch for Karl Darlow in his six-yard box and a wayward Lewis Grabban header early on, Newcastle at the other end created enough good chances.

They all tended to be well worked too. The first saw Jonjo Shelvey and Daryl Murphy link up together, only for the midfielder’s first time volley from 20 yards to be stopped by Ali Al-Habsi.

Better was to come too. There was a brilliant bit of improvisation from Matt Ritchie, who had been quiet up to this point, when his deft backheel in the corner allowed Dummett to pull a ball back to the edge of the area.

Shelvey ran onto it and struck an effort that was heading towards the bottom corner when Jordon Mutch got his body in the way at just the right time, displaying the sort of spirit which has lifted Reading into a play-off place this season.

Ritchie went close with half-time approaching. This time he cleverly flicked the ball away from his marker and shot low from 22 yards against the inside of the post. When it looked as if Gouffran would convert the rebound from close range, former Sunderland defender Paul McShane somehow slid into clear.

Those missed chances could have been costly because Reading were quick out of the blocks and looked much brighter. Inside the first few minutes of the second half they could easily have gone ahead.

McCleary initially saw his shot deflect inches wide of Darlow’s far post. From the corner Yann Kermorgant had an effort through a crowded box prevented from crossing the line by the chest of the Newcastle goalkeeper too.

Jaap Stam’s decision to introduce Danny Williams and Jordan Obita early on in the second half certainly had the desired effect, with Reading displaying more of the vibrancy which has raised promotion hopes. Newcastle, like on Saturday, defended strongly in the main.

Reading were the most dangerous after the restart and, with the exception of a Murphy header that was well saved by Al-Habsi, they had the better efforts on goal.

McCleary, who had been kept quiet in the first half, threatened more when he moved inside and another deflected shot almost flew in.

After that Newcastle – who could have lost it when Grabban shaved the bar in stoppage-time – had settled for the draw. Not even Dwight Gayle’s introduction for the final quarter of an hour could spark them back into life as an attacking force.

A late away goal, which could have arrived from a Ritchie corner that came to nothing, would have painted an even brighter picture for Newcastle at the top of the table, and yet the reality is they shouldn’t need it.