TOM Cleverley challenged Plymouth Argyle to keep building on their recent performances after watching his side share the spoils with promotion rivals Reading in what he described as an “eventful 0-0” at Home Park.

The Pilgrims boss was encouraged by the way his players matched one of League One’s leading sides in an entertaining encounter, although he admitted a lack of quality in the final third prevented them from claiming all three points.

Having suffered consecutive defeats against Huddersfield Town and Stevenage earlier in October, Cleverley has seen his side respond with a 3-2 victory at Cambridge United and now a hard-earned point against another promotion contender.

“It was a good game, an eventful 0-0,” he said. “It was two good teams going at it, blow for blow. I thought we did the basics very well.

“We have responded to a poor week against Huddersfield and Stevenage with two performances where we really competed. I was pleased with the shape and what we reduced the highest goalscorers in the league to. The final piece of the puzzle is that extra pass, that extra bit of quality in the final actions.

“I think if we keep replicating the basics like we did today, we have got a good chance of winning a lot of football matches.”

Reading threatened to snatch victory in the second half when captain Lewis Wing struck the outside of a post, while Argyle struggled to find the finishing touch at the other end.

“Them and Huddersfield are the best two transition teams in the league,” said Cleverley. “It’s like they are luring you in to make a mistake and then the pace in their team is incredible for the level. We knew it was important we managed that, and we reduced them like I said.”

And while Argyle came close to nicking a late winner, Cleverley felt a draw was ultimately a fair reflection of the contest.