Reading 2-2 QPR: Hendrick hits double but Royals surrender two-goal lead

READING FC surrendered a two-goal lead as Queen Park Rangers produced a second-half comeback to grab a point at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

A first-half brace from Jeff Hendrick, including his rocket to open the scoring, gave the Royals a two-goal advantage at the break.

But QPR hit back in the second-half with a double of their own through Tyler Roberts to ensure they took a point.

The result leaves Reading in 14th place in the Championship on 37 points from 27 games,

After beating Watford in the FA Cup third round and drawing Manchester United in the next round, the focus turned back to the Championship for Paul Ince’s side who made several changes

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Andy Carroll was rewarded with a start just days after extending his contract with the Royals, while Tom McIntyre dropped to the bench after picking up a slight injury.

QPR fielded a strong starting XI which included former Reading Academy graduate Rob Dickie and Lyndon Dykes, who scored twice in the reverse fixture as Rangers took the points in a 2-1 success at Loftus Road.

Ince was forced into an early switch just 15 minutes in when Sam Hutchinson went down to receive treatment and couldn’t continue.

The Royals boss opted to tinker with his shape which saw Shane Long come on to replace Hutchinson and partner Carroll up top, while Tom Ince reverted to a slightly deeper role behind the two strikers.

The visitors looked to punish Reading on the counter attack when Ilias Chair and Chris Willock combined, but Willock couldn’t find a teammate with his clipped ball into the box.

Former Reading player Dickie received the first yellow card of the game when he brought down Ince who was on a steaming run through the heart of QPR’s team.

Reading took the lead courtesy of a stunning strike from Jeff Hendrick.

The ball fell invitingly for the Irishman to run onto and he accepted the invitation and arrowed a pinpoint shot past the helpless Seny Dieng into the bottom left corner.

The hosts nearly doubled their lead quickly after when Junior Hoilett threaded the ball to Long who poked an effort at goal that was deflected behind for a corner.

Rangers went agonisingly close to pulling back a leveller when a low cross was flicked cleverly by Dykes with a backheel that trickled inches wide of the far post.

Carroll showed his value at both ends of the pitch when he stooped low to make a vital headed clearance from a QPR free-kick.

Reading took advantage of that and doubled their lead with their next attack. Andy Yiadom hit a fierce shot at goal that was parried away from Dieng, but only up in the air and Hendrick was perfectly placed to poach from two yards out to tap the ball in.

Five minutes after the restart there was a claim of a penalty for the hosts. Long managed to wriggle past Dickie in the box and went down seemingly under some contact, but the referee was not interested and waved play on.

With a free kick 25 yards from goal, Chair had a chance to reduce the deficit and went close when his curling effort bent just wide of Joe Lumley’s post.

With QPR increasing their intensity to try and get back in the contest, Ince made a double change after the hour mark. McIntyre and Scott Dann replaced Mamadou Loum and Hoilett.

Neil Critchley’s side found the goal they were craving in the 65th minute when Roberts shifted the ball out his feet and tucked the ball into the far corner with a neat finish from a narrow angle.

QPR cranked up the pressure another notch and would have been on terms had it not been for a superb save from Lumley who threw himself in the way of the ball to prevent Dykes converting from six yards out.

Carrolll had to be withdrawn for the final 15 minutes after picking up a head injury and he was joined by Long, replaced by the duo of Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite.

QPR were rewarded for their attacking persistence and grabbed an equaliser. Lumley made another spectacular stop to keep out a header, but Roberts was on hand to put the rebound in from close range.

QPR pushed on to try and find a winner throughout six minutes of stoppage time, but Reading held on to ensure Rangers couldn’t complete what would have been a remarkable turnaround.