READING WOMEN suffered late heartbreak as their first ever cup semi-final ended in defeat to Arsenal at Adams Park.
Royals battled back from falling behind to an early Beth Mead tap-in to lead 2-1 with 20 minutes to go thanks to goals from Brooke Chaplen and Lauren Bruton.
But the Gunners responded to turn the tie on its head and progress to the final with strikes from Vivianne Miedema and Jordan Nobbs in the closing 10 minutes.
Kelly Chambers made two changes from the side that lost 5-2 to Manchester City last weekend with Grace Moloney resuming her cup duties in goal while Harriet Scott replaced the injured Becky Jane. New signing Natasha Harding was cup tied.
And the game got off to a flying start.
Chaplen had the ball in the net with less than two minutes on the clock after a Bruton through ball, but the flag had been raised for offside.
Arsenal took full advantage, taking the lead in the sixth minute as Dan Carter crossed low from the right and after both Rachel Rowe and Kirsty Pearce missed their attempted clearances, Mead gratefully tapped in unmarked at the back post.
But Reading responded immediately, pulling level as Chaplen curled a brilliant strike into the corner from the edge of the box for her seventh goal of the season.
The visitors will feel they should have got their noses in front again just minutes later when Dutch international Miedema broke beyond the defence, but her close range shot was brilliantly saved by Moloney.
The game settled down after the frantic first 10 minutes with Lisa Evans, Fara Williams and Jordan Nobbs all firing off target.
The next big chance fell to the Royals as Chaplen broke through onto a bouncing ball, but her half volley was straight at goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal.
Chaplen then turned provider, bursting down the left before rolling the ball back across for Rachel Furness, but the midfielder’s effort was blocked.
The second half took some time to warm up before Arsenal wasted a golden opportunity to take the lead on 59 minutes.
Jo Potter’s cross-field pass was intercepted by Carter, who sprinted through from the halfway line but Moloney stood strong to deny her.
And Moloney, who has been restricted solely to cup appearances this season, was called into action again soon after to thwart Miedema from inside the box.
Reading soaked up the pressure and came within inches of taking the lead themselves when Williams fired a low ball across the six yard box, which just evaded the sliding Chaplen.
And moments later, Royals were ahead. Bruton picked up the ball just outside the box and curled a wonderful strike beyond the reach of van Veenendaal to spark wild celebrations in the stands.
Arsenal almost levelled up as the game entered its final 15 minutes as Danielle van de Donk flashed a shot just wide of the far post.
The Gunners did get their reward, equalising at 2-2 when Miedema cut inside and slid her shot past Moloney to leave the semi-final well in the balance again.
And the visitors completed the dramatic turnaround just three minutes later as Miedema’s deflected cross was parried away by Moloney but bundled in from close range by Nobbs.
Royals piled on the late pressure but the ball would not quite fall for them in the box and cup run was over.
READING: Moloney; Rowe, Pearce (c), Potter, Scott; Bartrip (Linnett 74), Furness, Allen; Williams; Bruton, Chaplen.
Subs not used: Earps, Clifford, Green, Fletcher.
Goals: Chaplen (7), Bruton (71)
Yellow card: Moloney (80)
ARSENAL: Van Veenendaal; Rose (Quinn 74), Evans, Williamson, Mitchell; Janssen, van de Donk; Carter (O’Reilly 74), Nobbs (c), Mead (McCabe 90); Miedema.
Subs not used: Moorhouse, Hinds, Filbe, James.
Goals: Mead (6), Miedema (80), Nobbs (83)
Yellow card: Rose (57)
Referee: Ryan Atkin
Attendance: 749
