Reading Women’s Conti Cup hopes remain in the balance after losing against Liverpool on penalties at Adams Park.
The game was locked at 1-1 at full-time after Rachel Furness’ strike was quickly cancelled out by Courtney Sweetman-Kirk meaning spot kicks were required to earn either side an extra point.
Had the Royals clinched the win they would have moved into the quarter-finals, and Fara Williams, Molly Bartrip, Gemma Davison and Brooke Chaplen all netted from the spot.
However, Remi Allen’s miss was punished as Liverpool scored five from five to keep their hopes of progression alive.
Reading remain top of their group but now must wait to discover their fate, which will depend on scores elsewhere.
Kelly Chambers made three changes from the side which drew with Liverpool three days earlier as Rachael Laws replaced Grace Moloney in goal while Becky Jane came in for Maz Pacheco at full-back. The other switch saw Gemma Davison drop to the bench with Molly Bartrip handed a start.
But the Royals struggled to create any early chances with Kirsty Linnett going closest to scoring against her former club, firing straight at Laws.
Reading began to assert their authority, dominating possession but Liverpool were defending resolutely.
A deep Jo Potter free-kick was headed just wide by Rachel Furness while Brooke Chaplen’s ambitious effort struck the crossbar as the first half passed goalless.
Fara Williams scored twice in this fixture at the weekend and she came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock two minutes into the second half, crashing a 20-yard shot against the face of the bar.
The Royals were playing with much more intent after the restart and won a free-kick in a dangerous area after goalkeeper Fran Kitching took down Brooke Chaplen.
Up stepped Jo Potter, who fired into the top corner but referee Lisa Benn blew her whistle during the shot due to an infringement in the box. Williams took the honours from the retake and struck the wall with big shouts for a handball waved away.
The chances kept flowing with Tash Harding the next to try her luck, volleying from just outside the box but Kitching made a flying stop.
And Reading eventually made the breakthrough midway through half when a corner was kept alive by Furness, who hooked goalwards and the ball bounced all the way in with Remi Allen putting pressure on the goalkeeper.
However, out of nothing Liverpool equalised with their first chance of the half when Sweetman-Kirk broke through and lobbed over the advancing Laws.
The Royals struggle to replicate their dominance before the goals and it was Liverpool who almost snatched a late winner when Clarke went through, but Laws made the vital stop one-on-one.
So a penalty shoot-out was required to separate the sides with Liverpool claiming the extra point after winning 5-4 on spot kicks with Allen the only player to fail to find the net.
Reading now embark on a winter break before returning to action in January.
READING: Laws; Jane, Pearce (c), Potter, Harding; Bartrip, Furness, Allen; Estcourt (Davison 74); Williams, Chaplen.
Subs not used: Moloney, Pacheco, Woodham, Harries.
Goal: Furness (64)
Yellow card: Jane (86)
LIVERPOOL: Kitching; Bradley-Auckland (c), Little, Matthews, Robe; Coombs (Fahey 62), Rodgers; Sweetman-Kirk (Thomas 81), C. Murray, Daniels; Linnett (Clarke 45).
Subs not used: Preuss, Roberts, S. Murray.
Goal: Sweetman-Kirk (66)
Yellow card: Kitching (49)
Reading penalties: Williams scores, Chaplen scores, Allen saved, Bartrip scores, Davison scores
Liverpool penalties: Clarke scores, C. Murray scores, Rodgers scores, Daniels scores, Bradley-Auckland scores
Referee: Lisa Benn
