Colchester United and Reading are goalless at half time of their League Cup first-round meeting.
The Championship side almost took the lead after a few minutes as Nick Blackman weaved his way through on goal, but was denied by Colchester keeper Sam Walker.
Blackman had another effort a few minutes later as a left-wing cross found him in the box, but he ballooned his volley high over the bar.
After a quiet period, Danny Williams forced Walker into a finger-tipped save later in the half as the away side took control of possession and started to threaten, however they failed to find the breakthrough.
