Reading and Bolton Wanderers went into half time all square after neither side were able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.
After a fairly uneventful 30 minutes, the game picked up some momentum, with Hal Robson-Kanu giving the hosts the best chance in the first half.
Jake Cooper then caused a goal-mouth scramble after his header was cleared but only as far as Glenn Murray, who failed to capitalise.
Reading ended the half on top but the half time whistle dispelled the mounting pressure from the home side to keep it level at the break.