Northampton Town picked up a point towards their survival bid after a 0-0 draw with play-off chasing Reading despite ending the game a man down.

Nesta Guinness-Walker was sent off in a clash against his former club, but the hosts were able to keep out a Royals side that began and ended the day sixth in the League One table.

With four games of the season to go, Northampton sit 19th in the League One table. They are two places and five points above the relegation zone, on a weekend that saw Burton Albion climb out of the bottom four and jump above a Bristol Rovers team that have now lost six straight games.

Having picked up a comfortable four goal victory over Peterborough in their last assignment, Northampton looked to pick up a first home win since late February as they welcomed play-off chasing Reading, who have been in fine form despite off-field drama regarding their ownership situation.

The hosts made a bright start at Sixfields, with Ben Perry hitting the side-netting before Dara Costelloe fired over.

Reading then had the best opportunities in the remainder of a tight first half, with Lee Burge saving well to keep out Charlie Savage’s deflected shot before the keeper kept out Jayden Wareham.

Northampton began the second half by creating a few opportunities, as Costelloe saw a curling effort just fly wide before Joel Pereira in the Reading goal thwarted Cameron McGeehan.

Pereira would later make another good stop to deny Northampton substitute Tyler Roberts, before the game then seemed to turn in Reading’s favour when Northampton had a man sent off.

With 13 minutes to go, former Reading defender Guinness-Walker was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Harvey Knibbs.

Reading missed the best opportunity for a winner after that moment as Savage side-footed the ball wide in the final moments after being found by Knibbs.

Having picked up a point from the contest, Northampton will face a big test in their next match when they travel to play promotion chasers Charlton Athletic at The Valley on Good Friday.