Reading remain in the Championship relegation zone after conceding a late, late equaliser at fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers.
Just one point separated the sides prior to kick-off and the Royals looked to have done enough to clinch a vital victory which would have lifted them outside the relegation zone when Nelson Oliveira marked his debut with a goal from the penalty spot.
But Bolton rallied and stayed in the contest, equalising deep into stoppage time through a Jack Hobbs header.
Jose Gomes made wholesale changes from the defeat at Derby, five in total including debuts for Emiliano
Martinez, Nelson Oliveira and Matt Miazga. They replaced Anssi Jaakkola and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who both dropped out the squad, while Tiago Ilori has left the club to join Sporting Lisbon.
The two other changes saw Chris Gunter handed his first appearance since December 15 in place of Lewis Baker while Sone Aluko came in for Ovie Ejaria.
Both sides made a lively start and Reading created the first big chance when Mo Barrow picked out John Swift, who headed wide from close range with the goal gaping.
While Reading were controlling possession, Martinez was called into two stops before half-time and had to produce a stunning save to preserve the clean sheet just past the hour mark.
And that allowed the visitors to take the lead on 74 minutes. Substitute Garath McCleary was brought down in the box, allowing Portuguese striker Oliveira to step up and fire into the bottom left corner.
However, it was not quite enough for victory as Hobbs rose highest in the third minute of stoppage time to earn Phil Parkinson’s side a point.
Reading remain in the bottom three, but are now just one point from safety ahead of a clash against Aston Villa at Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
READING: Martinez, Gunter (McCleary 61), Miazga, Moore (c), Yiadom, Rinomhota, Bacuna, Aluko, Swift (Blackett 83), Barrow, Oliveira (Loader 90).
Subs not used: Walker, Baker, Ejaria, Harriott.
Goal: Oliveira (pen) (74)
Yellow cards: Gunter (53), Rinomhota (60), Swift (63)
BOLTON: Matthews, Olkowski (Magennis 79), Wheater, Hobbs, Taylor, Lowe, Connell (Pritchard 72), Ameobi, O’Neil, Noone (Buckley 67), Donaldson.
Subs not used: Murphy, Williams, Little, Grounds, Pritchard, Buckley, Magennis.
Goal: Hobbs (90+3)
Yellow cards: Noone (35), Taylor (58)
Referee: Scott Duncan
Attendance: 12,195 (inc. 329 away)
