Marc McNulty bagged his first goal in a Reading shirt to earn his new club a draw against Besiktas is a behind-closed-doors friendly in Austria.
Although Paul Clement’s men are still waiting for their first win of pre-season, they will be pleased with their evening’s work in Graz against a strong Besiktas side, who led 2-0 with less than 10 minutes to play.
Yakou Meite was the standout Reading performer of a goalless first half, working tirelessly up front and going close to breaking the deadlock while at the other end Vito Mannone had to be alert to make two smart stops.
But the Italian was beaten on the hour mark when former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel headed the Turkish side in front, getting ahead of Andy Yiadom to nod home a Gokhan Tore cross.
And moments after McNulty had been denied at one end, the game looked to be won when ex-Arsenal youngster Oguzhan Ozyakup tucked in a second goal following a neat one-two around Tiago Ilori on the edge of the box.
But the Royals rallied, pulling a goal back when Sam Smith tapped into an empty net following a mistake from goalkeeper Utku Yuvakuran, whose clearance was charged down by Sone Aluko.
And there was even time for an equaliser as McNulty found the net for the first time following his summer switch from Coventry City, sliding in at the back post to convert Aluko’s low cross with the final kick of the night.
Reading continue their pre-season training camp in Austria tomorrow ahead of their penultimate friendly against Russian side Rubin Kazan on Friday (4pm UK time).
READING: Mannone; Yiadom (Richards 76), McShane (Ilori 59), Moore, Gunter (Blackett 65); Meyler (Clement 59), Kelly (Rinomhota 85); Aluko, Swift (McNulty 65), Barrow; Meite (Smith 65).
Subs not used: Ward, O’Shea, Evans, Loader.
Goals: Smith (84), McNulty (90)
BESIKTAS: Utku, Gonul, Medel, Fatih, Adriano, Dorukhan, Tolgay, Ozyakup, Lens, Babel, Larin.
Subs: Tolga, Ersin, Necip, Caner, Mertcan, Tore, Aras, Orkan, Mustafa.
Goals: Babel (60), Ozyakup (75)
