Reading have failed to win for a fourth consecutive Championship game after being held to a goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers.

The hosts had the better of the chances at Ewood Park and came close to breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes when David Dunn cut in from the right and fired in a deflected effort that struck the post.

Tom Cairney then managed to latch onto the rebound, but his looping shot was well held by goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

McCarthy was called into action again just after the half-hour mark, staying big to deny Cairney after the Rovers midfielder had jinked his way past two defenders.

Jordan Rhodes breached the offside trap moments later, but he was unable to produce a successful pass from the byline.

Joshua King forced McCarthy into another save early in the second half with a downward header from Jason Lowe's deep cross.

Much to the delight of the 12,417 Rovers supporters in the ground, Ruben Rochina entered the action with nine minutes remaining.

The Spanish forward, who had been out of action since August with a dislocated shoulder, looked sharp, winning a free kick and then firing in a low shot that was well blocked.

Despite their dominance, Rovers were unable to find a breakthrough, meaning that they stay in the bottom half of the table.