KELLY CHAMBERS was pleased with the response of her Reading side as they earned an impressive 1-1 draw at title-chasing Man City.
The Royals were thrashed 6-0 at Arsenal last time out, their heaviest defeat since joining the Super League, and they fell behind again to a brilliant Georgia Stanway strike.
But the visitors dug in to stay in the game and equalised early in the second half through fit-again Jade Moore, heading in just five minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Man City piled on the pressure to try and get back in front, but goalkeeper Grace Moloney impressed to keep them at bay and ensure the spoils were shared.
“The performance was one thing I wanted, especially after our result and our performance against Arsenal,” said Reading boss Chambers.
“The first and foremost was to make sure we turned up and put on a performance and they delivered that perfectly.
“The result is just the icing on the cake for us.”
Chambers resisted any temptation to make sweeping changes following the mauling at Arsenal with Charlie Estcourt for Gemma Davison the only change.
Reading stunned Man City 2-0 in this fixture last season, but the hosts made a strong start on Friday night.
Penning the Royals back from the off, just the final ball was lacking for City as their pace and movement caused problems while Jill Scott curled just wide.
In-form Stanway was next to try her luck, playing a quick one-two with Keira Walsh but Moloney was in the right place to save with her legs.
However, Stanway did break the deadlock just past the half hour mark with a spectacular half volley after Caroline Weir’s corner had not been fully cleared.
Chambers made a half-time switch, bringing on Moore in place of Estcourt for her first appearance since May following a second big injury in a year.
And the England international marked her return in style, heading home a Fara Williams corner as Reading made a flying start to the second period.
The Royals offered much greater threat than the first half, but were forced to defend again with Nikita Parris calling Moloney into some smart stops.
Tussa Wullaert had one final chance, striking against the crossbar from distance, but Reading held on for a deserved point.
“It was a case of continuing what we were doing in the first half but there were a few tactical things that we wanted to make the players aware of and to make sure we could shut up shop,” said Chambers.
“The introduction of Jade Moore allowed us to do that better and she’s come on to score the goal.
“Set pieces are a part of the game nowadays and it’s something we always look to work on.”
Reading sit sixth in the table and host Bristol City at Adams Park on Sunday (2pm), with both sides locked on eight points from six matches.
READING: Moloney, Jane, Pearce (c), Potter, Harding,
Estcourt (Moore 45), Allen, Furness, Bruton, Williams, Chaplen.
Subs not used: Laws, Pacheco, Bartrip, Woodham, Davison.
Goal: Moore (50)
Yellow cards: Pearce (68), Allen (90+5)
MAN CITY: Roebuck, Bonner, Houghton (c), Beattie, McManus,
Scott, Walsh, Weir, Wullaert, Parris, Stanway.
Subs not used: Jans, Lawley, Nadim, Beckie, Stenson, Morgan, Emslie.
Goal: Stanway (33)
Yellow card: Parris (90+1)
Referee: David McNamara
Attendance: 1,015
