READING FC were held to their second successive 0-0 home draw after a lively clash with promotion-chasing Burnley.

Brian McDermott's men were a match for Sean Dyche's high-flying visitors, but have now gone six Championship matches without a win.

It took a stunning penalty save from Ali Al Habsi to deny Andre Gray in the second half to preserve a point for the home side.

Al Habsi will feel justice was served having given away the spot-kick by bringing down Gray.

The Oman stopper argued Gray had taken a dive, sparking one of several bust-ups between the sides during a prickly match.

But overall Al Habsi was imperious between the sticks with a succession of brilliant saves throughout the afternoon.

He tipped a David Jones free-kick onto the woodwork just before the penalty was awarded and his handling was spot-on once again.

Reading also had their chances but Yann Kermogant's header in the first half was expertly saved by Tom Heaton and Hal Robson-Kanu blazed over late on after a threatening counter-attack.

McDermott made three changes to the team that laboured to a 0-0 home draw with Wolves a week earlier.

Matej Vydra and Danny Williams were both ruled out with injury so Lucas Piazon and Stephen Quinn took their places.

McDermott also named promising midfielder Josh Barrett among his substitutes for the first time after his impressive displays for the Under 18s, the side he captains.

But Deniss Rakels was not quite ready to make the starting line-up as a he builds up his fitness and started on the bench.

Reading were in a wretched run of league form going into the clash after picking up a mere nine points from the last 39 on offer.

However, they were attempting to do the double over the Clarets having won 2-1 at Turn Moor back in September thanks to goals from Piazon and Nick Blackman.

That victory moved Royals up to third in the table. How things changed during the turbulent months that followed which saw Steve Clarke lose his job and McDermott reappointed.

McDermott's men started the day 15th in the table and a full 19 points behind Burnley, ironically now in third.

The visitors almost went ahead in the third minute when Gray scooped his shot over the bar after good work from Sam Vokes and George Boyd in the build up.

But Royals hit back and were only denied the opening goal by a superb Heaton save in the 14th minute.

Robson-Kanu whipped over an excellent cross and Kermorgant planted a firm downward header towards the bottom corner, only for Heaton to dive to his right and parry it onto the post and away to safety.

Reading, though, were looking bright and energetic against the visitors. However, Clarets fired another warning on 25 minutes when Vokes, in plenty of space, missed with a header from six yards out from a teasing Matt Lowton cross.

Boyd also blazed over from 25 yards, though Ali Al Habsi looked to have it covered.

Royals keeper was tested moments later when he blocked a Scott Arfield shot following a corner after Gray had darted 60 yards up the pitch to win it.

But the home side continued to look a threat and Obita was unlucky to see his effort deflected wide as half time approached.

It was a firey game that threatened to boil on over on several occasions. Referee James Adcock did little to help douse the flames by keeping his cards in his pocket.

Reading created the first chance after the break when Piazon headed over from a Norwood centre.

But Burnley were kicking themselves in the 53rd minute when Gray missed the target from point-blank range from Lowton's precise cross.

Gray really should have scored, given the form he is in, and it led to a frantic period on the match that saw Al Habsi push a wicked Jones free kick from near the corner flag onto the woodwork to keep the scores level.

But the Oman stopper gave away a penalty on 56 minutes when he brought down Gray in the box as the striker chased a Jones pass.

Al Habsi was fuming with Adock's decision and clearly felt Gray had dived, leading to an ugly melee in which Robson-Kanu was booked for attempting to scuff up the penalty spot.

Yet Al Habsi will feel redemption was delivered when he dived full-stretch to his left to deny Gray from the spot.

Royals fans cheered the save as loudly as any goal, and they were on their feet again soon after when Paul McShane's superb block denied Jones from the centre of the goal.

Neither side created a clear-cut chance in the closing stages, though McDermott will have been happier than Dyche with a point and clean sheet.

Nevertheless, Reading have won just twice in 14 Championship matches and have taken a mere 10 points from the last 42 on offer.

McDermott's men will now prepare for next Saturday's FA Cup fifth round home tie against West Brom (3pm).