Newcastle claimed a credible point at Reading tonight, but how did the players rate ... here's the match facts from the Madejski Stadium.

Goals: None

Bookings: None

Referee: Andy Davies (Hampshire) – the ex-professional let the game flow and was not at the centre of things. 8

Attendance: 23, 121

Entertainment: **

Shots on 1 5 

Shots off 5 7

Corners 7 4

Offsides 3 2

Fouls 7 6

READING (4-2-3-1): Al-Habsi 7; Gunter 5, McShane 7, Moore 6 (Obita 51, 6), Blackett 6; Mutch 7, van der Berg 6; McCleary 7, Kelly 6 (Williams 46, 6), KERMORGANT 7; Grabban 6. Subs (not used): Evans, Beerens, Swift, Popa, Jaakkola.

NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-2-1):

7 Darlow: Didn’t have much to do in the first half but when he was called upon he was on hand to be strong;

6 Gamez: Solid enough second league start for the club and kept McCleary quiet

6 Lascelles: Not as busy as he was at Huddersfield but did what he had to do

8 CLARK: Strong in the challenge and effective in the air to frustrate the Royals

7 Dummett: Is enjoying a good run of form and linked well down the left with Gouffran and Ritchie;

6 Shelvey: Will wonder how he didn’t score in the first half after a couple of good chances

6 Colback: Has built an understanding with Shelvey in recent matches to vindicate his place;

7 Ritchie: Quiet in the opening half an hour and then burst into life when he hit the post

5 Perez: A few nice touches even if he needed to do more in the final third to cause problems

6 Gouffran: Could have scored a couple of times on a night when he justified his place before injury forced him off;

5 Murphy: Held the ball up well without testing the keeper until mid-way through the second half so no surprise when he was withdrawn

Subs:

Atsu (for Gouffran 68): Didn’t have the impact he would have liked. 5

Gayle (for Murphy 75)

Diame (for Colback 88)

(not used): Elliot (gk), Anita, Mbemba, Hanley.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ciaran Clark – this time it was the Irishman’s turn to lead by example at the heart of the defence to earn a positive result.