A last minute City equaliser denied a win and three points which would have ended any talk of relegation. Having taken the lead in the opening minutes, the Royals failed to covert one of a string of chances in the second half to secure the victory their performance merited. The result leaves Reading hovering above the drop zone although the gap is now a healthy nine points. New loan signing Ake and played a full game and looked very secure in a defensive midfield role. Reading’s other recent loan signing Appiah, came off the bench and looked lively, but did not make the best of the chances which fell to him late in the game.  
 
Reading had a perfect start. In the fourth minute Robson-Kanu delivered a cross to the far post where McCleary set up Pogrebnyak to score from close range with superb cushioned header. The rest of the first half was evenly contested with neither side managing to create many scoring opportunities. Pearce blocked a goalbound effort when Fabio cut in from the left. McCleary also had a powerful strike blocked unwittingly by Robson- Kanu who took a few moments to recover. McCleary was causing the City defence problems but although he got behind the back four he could not find a Reading player with is final ball.  
 
Reading came out for the second half intent on adding to their lead and the first chance arrived as McCleary pounced on a loose pass on the edge of the City box but his shot drifted wide of the far post. Federici was finally called into action when a Reading failed to clear and Noone drove the ball firmly from the edge of the box. The Reading ‘keeper treated the strike with respect it deserved getting both hands behind the ball to push it away to safety. Appiah, Reading’s other new loan signing, replaced the fans Player of the Month Mackie after sixty-eight minutes. Chances came his way almost immediately. He almost rounded ‘keeper Marshall, and then was thwarted by Marshall when Pogrebnyak found him unmarked with a cross to the far post. He really should have put one of them away. Hector came even closer with a downward header which bounced up onto the bar. Obita crowned a very good display at full back with a brilliant run down the left outwitting two City defenders in succession with his outstanding ball control. Unfortunately he could not find a cross to match the run and it was easily cleared by City. Obita was very sharp today. He anticipated and cut out passes, was disciplined in his defensive duties, broke forward quickly, and won the ball cleanly in the air, which has in the past been a weakness in his game.  
 
  Reading seemed destined to claim much needed win when the back four suddenly found themselves back-peddaling as City burst through down the right and a short pass inside found McAleny who swept the ball past Federici. It was an excellent finish but a frustrating outcome for Reading players and fans alike. A look at the table of leading goalscorers in the Championship this season underlines the big issue. Bournemouth have five players who have scored more than ten goals this season. Reading have none.  
 
John Wells