Cardiff in stalemate semi-final

CARDIFF shrugged off the loss of Craig Bellamy to gain the upper hand in their Championship play-off semi-final with Reading after a tense goalless draw at the Madejski Stadium.

Bellamy lasted just 17 minutes before going off injured but Dave Jones' side recovered to limit the hosts.

Matt Mills came closest for Reading, poking wide from six yards, while City's best effort came from Peter Whittingham, who rifled a 25-yard effort just wide.