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Millwall dropped deeper into relegation trouble in the Championship despite battling with 10 men to earn a goalless draw against Reading.

The Lions were a man short for the second half after defender Sid Nelson saw red for a late challenge on Michael Hector in first-half stoppage time.

But Ian Holloway's side could have won had Lee Gregory and Jos Hooiveld converted chances after the interval.

Rotherham's 4-2 win over Bolton leaves Millwall five points from safety.

Reading remain 18th, seven points above Millwall, as the Londoners missed the opportunity of dragging the Royals into relegation trouble.

Holloway named five of his six January transfer window signings in the starting line-up as both sides created good chances in an open first half.

Millwall's evening got tougher when seconds before half-time, 19-year-old Nelson, making only his fifth appearance for the Lions, launched himself into a reckless late tackle on Hector near the halfway line and was sent off.

Reading, sensing the chance to ease their own fears of the drop, forced goalkeeper David Forde into saves from Jordan Obita and Daniel Williams.

But Millwall had chances to secure an unlikely win with Gregory heading Dan Harding's cross wide, and debutant defender Hooiveld nodding Shaun Williams' free-kick off target after joining on loan from Southampton.

Millwall manager Ian Holloway: "It was a shocking red card. Some of the decisions we get, it feels like we never play play at home!

"I want to build a team that can win at this level and I'm trying to do that. It's not all doom and gloom. That was a Millwall fighting performance."

Reading manager Steve Clarke: "I'm frustrated more than disappointed. Millwall defended really well in the second half.

"We got into some good positions, but couldn't create anything clear-cut."