England goalkeeper Joe Hart has come under some criticism of late for his part in City's wobbles at the back but he was at his best to push Chris Brunt's free-kick wide and then tip Jonas Olsson's header over the bar from the resulting corner.

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As the half-time whistle approached, both sides continued to push for an opener, and Hunt came close with a curling free-kick in the 42nd minute, but it remained goalless at the interval.

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Rochdale continued to push forward and were rewarded just before the stroke of half-time when Stephen Foster gave away a free-kick after tangling with Howe.

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Reading did threaten when Long headed John Oster's free-kick wide and Matejovsky fired in a bouncing shot that City keeper Joe Hart did well to push away.

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