Premier League: Queens Park Rangers 1 Reading 1

Djibril Cisse’s second-half strike earned Queens Park Rangers a 1-1 draw with Reading as both teams stayed winless in the Premier League.

Visitors Reading made the better start to proceedings at Loftus Road on Sunday, coming close through Kaspars Gorkss early on.

QPR responded well to the early pressure as Cisse flashed an effort just wide of the post from 20 yards.

Despite looking dangerous going forward Mark Hughes’ men soon fell behind as Gorkss acrobatically volleyed home from close range after Sean Morrison had headed Nicky Shorey’s cross against the crossbar.

The hosts dominated much of the game following the goal but struggled to find a way through a determined Reading defence and were reduced to long range efforts for the majority of the opening 45 minutes.

The west London club should have levelled just before the break but were denied by a fingertip save from Alex McCarthy, who dived brilliantly to his left to push Esteban Granero’s curling free-kick against the bar.

Hughes’ side continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession in the early stages of the second half, though clear-cut opportunities were rare.

However, just over 20 minutes into the second period QPR did get the goal their efforts merited, Cisse controlling Jose Bosingwa’s right-wing cross before prodding the ball past McCarthy and into the bottom corner.

The leveller seemed to spark the visitors into life, and they had a good chance to take the lead once more as substitute Kebe drifted through the QPR midfield before powering an effort over the bar.

Hughes’ side dictated the majority of the play as the game trundled towards the closing stages, but Reading remained a threat and came close once more when Hal Robson-Kanu headed Shorey’s corner wide of the goal.

Reading had McCarthy to thank for keeping them in the game, as he performed heroics to deny Adel Taarabt after Cisse had broken the offside trap to play the Moroccan through on goal.

That proved to be the last meaningful chance of the contest, and although Robson-Kanu, QPR substitute Zamora and Cisse all had opportunities to win the game, both sides were left to settle for what will be a slightly unsatisfying point apiece.