Honours even against the Shrews
Reading and Shrewsbury played out a 1-1 draw on a chilly night at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Cagey opening exchanges saw the first chance of the game go the way of the visitors with the clock having just passed the seven minute mark. The Royals could only clear a long throw into the box to the edge of the area, but Dominic Gape could only fire over the bar on the volley.
Salop were awarded a penalty on 16 minutes when Harrison Biggins was upended in the box. Skipper John Marquis stepped up but his effort was saved by Pereira, who followed up the stop will an unbelievable second stop to deny Marquis at the second attempt - a reprieve for the Royals.
The hosts had started slowly, but the penalty save saw more attacking intent with Andre Garcia looking to make things happen with forward runs from his left back position.
In the 28th minute Garcia's left wing partner Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was the architect of the opening goal of the game. Our big number nine showed tenacity to get on the end of a deep Lewis Wing cross, before turning his marker and squaring the ball to Jayden Wareham to put the Royals in the lead!
Lewis Wing wasn't two far away from doubling his side's lead on 36 minutes, letting fly with one of his trademark efforts from 30 yards, it went just over Blackman's bar.
Down the other end on 40 minutes, Harrison Biggins had a strike at goal from similar territory, buthis first time curled effort sailed comfortably over Pereira's bar.
The final minutes of the half saw the Shrews enjoy possession in Reading's attacking third, but resolute defending from the Royals prevented the visitors from creating a chance that tested Pereira in the between the sticks.
The referee blew their whistle to indicate the end of the half, with the Royals going in one up at the break.
Half time: Reading 1-0 Shrewsbury Town
The second half got underway with the Royals looking to hold onto their lead courtesy of Wareham's first league goal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
It was the visitors who were next to get on the scoresheet, with forward Taylor Perry firing a low lefted footed effort into the far corner of the goal from inside the box on 56 minutes.
Within a minute of the restart Noel Hunt's side almost restored their lead. Chem Campbell sent a fizzing shot goalwards that Blackman struggled to keep out, and with Wareham pouncing on the loose ball, a tangled of players prevented a strong enough contact and the ball was cleared.
The midway point of the half saw the Royals ring the changes, with Mamadi Camara, Billy Bodin and Kelvin Abrefa coming on in place of Campbell, Wareham and Garcia respectively.
As the match entered the final stages it was a case of two teams cancelling each other out with very no chances of note for either side.
There were huge calls from the home faithful for a penalty when it looked as though Ehibhatiomhan was upended by Shrews keeper Blackman in the 86th minute, but the referee waved away the protests of the vast majority in attendance.
Four minutes of additional time was indicated at the end of the tie, and it was played out with little incident. Both sides would have to settle for a point, with the Royals playing out a first home draw of the League One campaign.
Final score: Reading 1-1 Shrewsbury Town
Reading: Pereira, Craig, Knibbs, Savage, Ehibhatiomhan (Kanu 87'), Wareham (Bodin 66'), Campbell (Camara 66'), Bindon, Mbengue, Wing ©, Garcia (Abrefa 66')
Subs: Button, Rushesha, Holzman
Goals: Wareham (28')
Yellows: Campbell (16')
Shrewsbury Town: Blackman, Hoole, Benning, Feeney, Feeney, Biggins (Gilliead 67'), Lloyd (Oliver 46'), Perry (Shipley 73'), Gape, Nurse (Nsiala 67'), Marquis © (Stewart 84')
Subs: Savin, Dinanga
Goals: Perry (56')
Yellow: Perry (51')