READING FC ended a run of four Championship defeats on the bounce by recovering to take a point against Hull City.
The Royals went behind to Regan Slater’s 26th minute opener but replied on the stroke of half-time through Andy Carroll.
Neither side were able to snatch a winner and had to settle for a point each.
Reading stay in 16th position and are still nine points above the relegation zone prior to a possible points deduction from the EFL with eight matches remaining.
Paul Ince made three changes from Reading’s midweek defeat at Blackburn which saw Andy Carroll and skipper Andy Yiadom return to the side, while Liam Moore was handed his first start of the campaign.
Reading’s last away win of the season came at Hull prior to the World Cup break, while the Royals came into the contest on a run of four straight losses.
The Tigers had the first strike on goal inside the opening minute of the match when Yiadom failed to get any distance on a clearing header which dropped for Allahyar Sayyadmanesh to hit and Joe Lumley tipped round his post.
Allahyar had another sighter a few moments later when a low corner was drilled into his path, but he kicked thin air with his attempt.
Reading started to find their feet and some neat combination play from Lucas Joao and Tom Ince saw them stride into the Hull half without being able to muster a shot to test the keeper.
Lucas Joao was lively and got a couple of headers on goal that didn’t cause much trouble for Karl Darlow with two routine catches in quick succession.
Moore’s injuries continued to plague him and his first start only lasted 15 minutes as he had to hobble off and be replaced by Scott Dann.
Liam Rosenior’s side opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Regan Slater battled past Ince, played the ball out wide and received a return ball to burst through the middle and slotted a finish in at Lumley’s near post.
Reading could only create a couple of half chances with a Naby Sarr header from a corner and a glancing nod wide from Cesare Casadei.
Another enforced change through injury saw Tom McIntyrereplaced by Nesta Guinness-Walker with five minutes of the first-half remaining.
Moving into the final few minutes of the half, the Royals got on the scoresheet to put the game on terms.
After Casadei’s flick on into the box, Carroll hovered and was able to pounce on the loose ball which ricocheted off a defender into his path and he planted the ball into the bottom right hand corner to punish Hull.
A final chance of the opening 45 came for Ince after a positive move ended with Casadei winning a free-kick 25 yards from goal.
Ince curled a shot over the wall but it sailed over the bar to the relief of Darlow.
Casadei’s willingness to drive forward won Reading another free-kick in a shooting position 10 minutes after the restart.
Having netted his first senior goal in midweek at Blackburn, Casadei took responsibility but ballooned a disappointing effort into the north stand.
The Tigers relinquished some control and looked to restore their lead, but found Dann in the way to intercept a drilled cross and put it behind for a corner.
Dann stayed alert at the back and charged out to put his body on the line to get in the way of a thumping shot.
Carroll was the first player to go into the book after putting in a late tackle on Hull captain Lewie Coyle.
The home crowd were left frustrated after Joao had the ball in the box with a chance of striking at goal, but he opted to take one too many touches to try and twist past his marker and ultimately had possession snatched from him.
Carroll proved his worth to provide defensive cover, winning several headers from Hull corners to keep his team organised.
Guinness-Walker showed excellent pace and footwork down the left before Ince teed up Holmes only for the defender to slam his shot well off target.
A late double change saw Femi Azeez and Tyrese Fornah take the places of Casadei and Joao for the final few minutes.
Both sides were unable to forge any clear cut openings to take maximum points as the game was drawn.
Following the international break, Reading are away at Bristol City on Saturday, April 1.
Reading: Lumley, McIntyre, Holmes, Sarr, Moore, Yiadom, Hendrick, Casadei, Ince, Carroll, Joao
Subs: Bouzanis, Dann, Azeez, Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Mbengue, Ehibhatiomhan
Hull City: Darlow, Coyle (c), Graves, A Jones, Allahyar, Ebiowei, McLoughlin, Traore, Estupinan, Seri, Slater
Subs: Lo-Tutala, Elder, Figueiredo, Tufan, Docherty, Longman, Pelkas
Goals: Slater 26’, Carroll 44’
