[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2i5MXGevuQ[/embedyt]
Reading remain outside the relegation zone only on goal difference after conceding late on to draw their huge clash against fellow strugglers Rotherham at Madejski Stadium.
The game was billed as the “most important match of the season” by Royals boss Jose Gomes and his side were on course for three priceless points thanks to Ovie Ejaria’s first goal for the club.
However, the visitors earned a share of the spoils 10 minutes from time when Semi Ajayi turned in from close range.
Both sides had chances to win it during the breathless closing stages, but neither club could find the net again as they stay locked on points in the Championship table.
Jose Gomes made three changes from the side which lost 4-0 at Sheffield United last weekend with Tyler Blackett, John Swift and Garath McCleary coming in for Omar Richards, Liam Kelly and Mo Barrow.
Rotherham, who arrived at Madejski Stadium without an away victory all season, started the better of the two sides with their long throws and high deliveries into the box causing problems.
And they should have taken the lead on eight minutes when Michael Smith’s low cross into the centre was missed by an unmarked Anthony Forde.
The Royals soon began to dominate possession as Rotherham dropped deeper and invited them to attack. Lewis Baker was dictating the play well from the base of the midfield when Yakou Meite was a lively presence on the right wing, however the hosts could not trouble goalkeeper Marek Rodak.
That was until the opening goal arrived just past the half hour mark. In a move started in defence, Blackett fed the ball down the left wing for McCleary, who burst to the byline and cut the ball back to Ejaria to guide a first-time effort into the top corner to send the Mad Stad wild.
The visitors started the second period as they did the first, putting pressure on the Reading back-line and they went close when Ritchie Towell struck a firm effort from the edge of the box, which was blocked well by Liam Moore.
Reading struggled to control the ball as much during the second period as the game turned scrappy with three yellow cards in quick succession.
While neither keeper was being troubled, Rotherham were looking the most likely scorers with 20 minutes to play so Gomes turned to his bench to introduce John O’Shea in place of Meite to help protect the defence.
But his arrival did not prevent the visitors from levelling the game with 10 minutes to play. Captain Will Vaulks played the ball into the box for Clark Robertson, who nodded it on to Ajayi to turn in from close range.
Reading responded well and looked to have equalised when McCleary’s low cross was met at the back post by Nelson Oliveira, but he somehow failed to convert from six yards. Ejaria latched onto the follow up but his shot was saved by Rodak.
Gomes threw on Callum Harriott and Barrow for the closing stages to try and force a winner and it almost paid off. As the game entered five minutes of stoppage time, Barrow nipped the ball away from Rodak and fired it across goal, but a sliding Oliveira could not quite reach it before the goalkeeper got back to claim.
And things almost got even worse for the Royals at the death when the ball fell kindly for substitute Joe Newell in the box, but he blazed his shot just wide of the post.
READING: Martinez; Yiadom, Miazga, Moore (c), Blackett; Baker, Ejaria (Harriott 86), Swift; Meite (O’Shea 72), McCleary (Barrow 86), Oliveira.
Subs not used: Walker, Gunter, McShane, Loader.
Goal: Ejaria (31)
Yellow card: Swift (54)
ROTHERHAM: Rodak; Jones, Ihiekwe (Newell 70), Robertson, Mattock; Ajayi, Towell (Crooks 89), Vaulks (c); Taylor (Williams 58), Forde, Smith.
Subs not used: Price, Vyner, Wood, Yates.
Goal: Ajayi (79)
Yellow cards: Mattock (50), Williams (59), Vaulks (89)
Referee: Jeremy Simpson
Attendance: 15,958 (inc. 763 away)
