Wigan Athletic moved closer to Premiership safety when they were held to a 0-0 by a gritty Reading side in their Premiership clash on Saturday.

Wigan needed a win to ensure their Premiership safety and were on the attack right from the kick. The hosts almost took an early lead through Marcus Bent who was unlucky to see his header smash against the post.

Wigan completely dominated the chances and possession in the first half as Reading struggled to come to terms with the hosts' attacking moves but some how managed to keep out the Wigan attack to go into the break on level terms.

The visitors put up an improved performance in the second half to carve out a couple of good chances of their own. After Marcus Hahnemann pulled off a great save to deny Brown, Reading almost took the lead through a brilliant individual effort by Leroy Lita who skipped past Emmerson Boyce but his poked shot rolled narrowly wide of the target.

Minutes later Reading had another great chance to take the lead but Michael Duberry shot from a corner went inches wide of the post. Though both the teams pressed forward at every opportunity, they were unable to convert the chances and had to settle for a point each.