READING FC had to settle for a point in a dramatic clash with Luton Town that saw Andy Carroll put the Royals in front before he was sent off shortly after.
Carroll had headed his side in front and it looked as if he had repeated that trick only to receive a second yellow and his marching orders for handling the ball into the net.
With a large chunk of the second-half to play with a player down, the Royals couldn’t manage to hold on to their lead as Carlton Morris levelled with 10 minutes left.
The result means that Reading remain in the relegation places and a point away from QPR who picked up a point against Norwich.
Noel Hunt made just one tweak to his team from the goalless draw with leaders Burnley as Andy Carroll replaced Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan in attack to partner Lucas Joao.
Meanwhile, the Hatters lined up with the Championship’s third highest goalscorer of the season, Carlton Morris, up top with Cauley Woodrow.
Luton went into the clash needing just one point from their final four matches to confirm their place in the play-offs after going on an extraordinary run of 10 matches without defeat.
Despite losing manager Nathan Jones to Southampton in November, Luton found their feet quickly under new boss Rob Edwards who started the season in charge of their rivals Watford.
Having lasted just 11 games with the Hornets, Edwards was appointed by the Hatters to replace Jones and have done an excellent job to steer them to a top six finish.
It could and should have been the perfect start for the Royals when a golden chance was presented to Carroll with just two minutes on the clock,
After Femi Azeez’ foray down the right, he whipped a cross into the middle that evaded Cesare Casadei, but found its way to Carroll who somehow blazed over the target from seven yards out with the goal gaping.
It was a quick and purposeful start from the hosts who had their momentum paused when Luton’s Pelly Ruddock had to be treated for an injury which caused a stoppage.
The away team responded with a half chance when Woodrow spotted a shooting chance, but flashed a low drive harmlessly wide.
Luton had two big chances within a couple of minutes. The first came when the ball ricocheted off Tom Holmes and fell invitingly for Campbell to strike, but his shot went straight down the throat of Lumley.
The second came from a free-kick which saw Carroll booked. A short routine saw the ball teed up for Alfie Doughty to hit and his low effort cannoned back off the post before Lumley gratefully gathered the ball.
Reading almost had success from a launched Nesta Guinness-Walker throw when both sets of players allowed the ball to bounce and it almost fell for Lucas Joao who was just beaten to the ball by keeper Ethan Horvath before Holmes smacked a volley high over the top.
Jeff Hendrick was next to go in the book for a foul on Ruddock.
The Hatters had their clearest sight of goal when a lay off into the path for Woodrow saw the striker’s shot looked destined for the net before Naby Sarr got his body in the way to make a heroic block.
The half came to a close without a shot on target from Hunt’s team who were still searching for their first goal under the interim boss.
The game restarted with a big chance coming Reading’s way. Jeff Hendrick clipped a pinpoint cross into the path of Carroll, but just as the forward was about to nod at goal, the chance was snatched away from him with a vital interception from Tom Lockyer.
Lucas Joao searched to find the corner with a curling effort that was turned behind by Horvath.
And in classic Andy Carroll fashion he powered a header past the keeper to make amends for his missed chance in the opening moments of the game.
The game took a dramatic twist just six minutes later when Carroll went from hero to zero.
He appeared to have doubled Reaidng’s lead when he turned in from a corner. But the celebrations were cut short after it appeared that Carroll had handled the ball to find the net.
Consequently, he received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the Royals with 10 players for the rest of the match.
With a one player advantage, Luton expectedly took the initiative to try and find a leveller.
Hunt opted to make a double change with 20 minutes to go as Mamadi Camara and Kelvin Abrefa replaced Tyrese Fornah and Azeez.
Camara made an instant impact when he placed himself perfectly to make a crucial block from a stinging shot.
Woodrow came close to getting Luton on terms when his volley flashed just wide of the right hand post.
An opportunity then arose for substitute Jordan Clark who knocked his effort over the top before Lumley was booked for time wasting.
The Hatters found their reward when Morris notched his 19th goal of the league season, nodding in from a couple of yards out on the rebound.
The visitors went looking for a winner, but Reading managed their way through six minutes of added time to pick up a point.
The draw means Reading stay in the relegation places and remain a point behind QPR. Next up is an away trip to Coventry City on Saturday.
Reading: Lumley, Yiadom (c), Sarr, Holmes, Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Hendrick, Casadei, Azeez, Carroll, Joao
Subs: Boyce-Clarke, Abrefa, Dann, Mbengue, Loum, Camara, Ehibhatiomhan
Luton Town: Horvath, Doughty, Bradley, Lockyer, Drameh, Bell, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Campbell, Morris, Woodrow
Subs: Shea, Berry, Adebayo, Lansbury, Clark, Taylor
Goals: Carroll 50’, Morris 80’
