Reading and Bolton shared the points as an entertaining Championship game ended 1-1 at the Reebok. For the second time this season the Royals had to come back from behind after conceeding an early goal. This time around Darren Pratley put the home side ahead after 16 minutes when he headed past McCarthy in the Reading goal from a corner. The goal was enough to keep Bolton ahead until a handball in the area six minutes into the second half saw Nick Blackman step up and score his first Reading goal ever from the penalty spot.

Just like Reading's opening game against Ipswich Town, the Royals were much improved in the second half. Both sides had chances to win the game in the second period but Reading probably had the better chances to take the full three points, after Drenthe, Pearce and substitute Le Fondre all could have scored.

The referee was in for plenty of abuse at the final whistle after turning down possible penalties for both sides. Royston Drenthe also did little to please the home crowd for a dive in the area at the end - there may have been slight contact but the referee was not impressed as both sides finished frustrated.

Thoroughly enjoyable 90 minutes with a totally dominant second half. The only thing missing was that finishing touch. Alfie, Pearce and Morrison should have scored were it not for the heroics of Bogdan BUT, and it's a big but, if ours was a penalty then Bolton should consider themselves extremely hard-done-to 10 minutes later. It was that blatant we could see it clear as day up the other end. There was a second big shout but the opposite end view was obscured.

Long and short of it is that if we play like that second half today and sustain it for 90 minutes, there are literally one or two teams in this division who could live with us. It really was that good...

Sh*t goal to concede as normal, free header at the back stick from a simple cross. Pratley must love playing us. pot shot that hit the post, lucky ladders, their approach play first half was good particularly first 20 but once Pearce and Morrison got to grips with Ngog and Beckford there was only going to be one outcome - defensive dominance.

Enjoyed it, good to come to a game and put both managerial acumen AND pleasing football together. It's all coming together quite nicely thankyou. Next up, a Watford side that showed their attacking prowess today...
handbags_harris

Ok first half but with no real cutting edge. Second half was superb, should have got the 3 points in the end. The counter attack when Drenthe set up Le Fondre was awesome to watch, promising signs. Happy with the point though

Also previously i have mentioned the need for more creativity and doubted Drenthe could play behind the striker, totally wrong. He was brilliant today, fouled so many times. Not sure on the dive.. need to see it again

Also when Blackman wasn't playing very well in the first half, the Reading fans singing for Le Fondre were embarrassing. Blackman played ok and seems to cope better than Alfie on his own upfront
LoyalRoyal22

Firstly, that was a bloody good game and worth the trip up. Should of come away with 3 points to be honest after shaky 25/30 min period in the first half. Everyone had a top game today and Jobi was OK, but there are still questions marks over Karacan.

Blackman was very very usual up top and after that goal he will grow in confidence. Adds better link play than Alf. Drenthe was a machine today and Bolton couldn't get near him. It got completely ridiculous towards the end with Bolton taking him out every time.

I can't say if they should of had a pen, but Jobi should of had one. Got completely smashed. Shit ref as usual. Moving on, add 2 more players and we should def get play-offs
Royal91

Last year, Adam Le Fondre was the Premier League’s super-sub. Yesterday, the Reading forward was the Championship’s blooper sub. Despite the Royals’ relegation, Le Fondre made top-flight history by scoring eight times in a single season after coming off the bench. But when manager Nigel Adkins looked for an action replay in the lower league, Le Fondre fluffed his lines. Royston Drenthe, who has gone from Real Madrid to Reading in little over a year, provided a glorious opportunity.

“I’m thinking ‘goal’ because he scores all the time,” said Adkins. “He only needs one chance.” But Le Fondre steered his shot straight at Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan. Somehow the specialist scorer had missed. Le Fondre was not the only reason an extraordinary game finished level. Bogdan was Bolton’s saviour again with a point-blank block to turn Sean Morrison’s header away. “He has made a couple of wonderful saves,” said boss Dougie Freedman.

And referee Carl Boyeson could have awarded five penalties. In the end, he gave only one, scored by Nick Blackman for Reading’s equaliser. “Some decisions were right, some were wrong, probably,” said Adkins. “I will look at them again in the cold light of day.”
Express

Nick Blackman's first goal for Reading earned the Royals a point at Bolton. Wanderers took the lead when former Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley met Marc Tierney's cross from the left with a powerful header. But Reading sealed a draw when Blackman - a January signing from Sheffield United - converted from the penalty spot after a handball by David Wheater. Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan then pulled off two late saves to deny Royston Drenthe and Alex Pearce.

Bolton, who started with Jay Spearing after his loan move from Liverpool was made permanent, began well with Jermaine Beckford going close before Pratley headed home at the far post. Dougie Freedman's side almost added a second when midfielder Medo beat Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from 30 yards with a shot which slammed against the post. Reading were level when Wheater handled Jobi McAnuff's inswinging corner and Blackman calmly converted his first goal since January. Drenthe and Pearce were then both denied by Bogdan as Bolton made it 12 matches unbeaten at the Reebok Stadium.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins:
"I thought that it was great entertainment for the supporters. Royston Drenthe wanted a penalty late on but he should have stayed on his feet. We've had a word with him because we don't want to be doing that at Reading Football Club. But Royston was a massive threat and he'll only get fitter and better throughout this season."
BBC Sport