READING'S winless run extended to four matches in all competitions after a 1-1 home draw against Cardiff City.

A stunning volley from Garath McCleary in the first half put Royals in front, only for Lex Immers to equalise midway through the second half.

Reading have now failed to beat the Bluebirds in a league fixture for 12 matches stretching back to 2006.

They had a big opportunity to end that barren run thanks to McCleary's fifth goal of the season, but Brian McDermott's men couldn't hang on.

Cardiff are now unbeaten on their last seven visits to Berkshire and today's draw keeps them in the hunt for a play-off place.

Reading, however, look like a team for whom the end of the season can't come soon enough.

There was no lack of effort or desire from McDermott's players, but they look as though they are going through the motions.

A draw was a fair result on the day, but Reading were left to rue a first-half injury to winger Hal Robson-Kanu, who has arguably been their best player in recent months.

However, it was Robson-Kanu's replacement McCleary who scored his side's only goal during a tightly-fought contest.

Reading have not lost at home in the league during 2016, but they have won only four times in their last 20 Championship fixtures and have slipped down to 17th in the table.

McDermott made three changes to the side that lost at Brighton on Tuesday night as Jake Cooper returned from a one-match suspension in place of Anton Ferdinand and Jordan Obita was dropped to the bench as ex-Bluebird Andrew Taylor got the nod.

Stephen Quinn also came back into the side in place of Matej Vydra as McDermott looked to shore up his midfield.

Reading's record against the Bluebirds was less than impressive, having failed to beat them in their 11 previous league encounters, drawing six and losing five.

But they had shot at goal with 90 seconds on the clock when Ola John's 30-yarder tested Simon Moore, brother of Royals Academy keeper, Stuart.

They also wasted a gilt-edged chance in the 13th minute when Quinn fed John who slid a beautifully-weighted pass to Yann Kermorgant's feet.

The Frenchman timed his run well and was clean through on goal, but his shot was saved by Moore.

Royals, though, were lucky not to concede three minutes later when Noone was left unmarked, only for his downward header from Joe Ralls' cross to bounce over Ali Al Habsi and hit the crossbar.

It was a let off for the Royals, though they suffered a blow midway through the first half when Robson-Kanu, who had been their biggest threat along with John, hobbled off with a thigh strain which is likely to rule him out of Wales' upcoming friendlies, and was replaced by McCleary.

Strangely, he left with both sets of supporters singing his name due to the winger's popularity in the Principality.

But Bluebirds fans went silent when Royals went ahead in the 37th minute through McCleary's brilliant goal.

Kermorgant flicked the ball on to John who fed McCleary, and the winger spun ex-Reading defender Matthew Connolly before smashing a volley into the top corner from 12 yards.

And McDermott's men should have doubled their lead on the stoke of half time.

John beat the Cardiff offside trap and raced onto Quinn's excellent sliderule pass.

The on-loan Benfica player then beat the last defender but, with only Moore to beat, he scuffed his shot wide of the near post.

John was a real thorn in Cardiff's side and he went close again a minute after the restart with an angled effort that bounced just wide.

Taylor also had Moore worried with a first-time strike from distance that missed the target by a yard.

Cardiff hit back and a Ralls free-kick from a tight angle deflected off the wall and agonisingly wide, before John replied with another long-ranger that flew straight into Moore's gloves.

Bluebirds boss Russell Slade had seen enough and, with the game slipping away, he made a double change just after the hour by sending on Sammy Ameobi and Aron Gunnarrson.

It proved a shrewd move as Ameobi had an immediate impact by creating the equaliser.

The rangy striker burst through midfield before his deflected shot was tipped onto the post by Al Habsi, only for Immers to head in the rebound from a few yards out.

There was a strong suspicion of handball by Ameobi in the build up, but referee Daren Drysdale failed to spot it.

Royals almost regained the lead two minutes later, but an effort from substitute Matej Vydra was well kept out by Al Habsi.

McDermott went for broke with 12 minutes left by sacrificing Quinn for Simon Cox.

They dominated the late exchanges as Cardiff survived two penalty appeals, one for what looked like handball by Connolly.

But they also blew a glorious chance to win it in injury time when Cox volleyed over from close range from John's back-post cross.

It summed up the day for Reading, who are next in action away at Bolton on April 2.