Reading had to come back from conceding a goal fifteen minutes into the second half of a scrappy contest to salvage a point against a Rovers side on a run of four defeats in their previous five games. Galvanised by falling behind, and the introduction of Kamari Doyle, after Ben Elliot limped off with what worryingly appears to be a hamstring injury, Reading equalised eight minutes later. Doyle simply ran at the Rovers defence and unleashed a venomous shot from outside the box which beat Lo-Tutala at his near post. Perhaps the Rovers 'keeper was taken by surprise by Doyle's direct approach considering what had gone before. Either way he will probably feel disappointed not to make a save, especially after pulling off two very good saves in the first half from Savage and Wing.

There was a familiar pattern to this game with Reading playing some neat football in the attacking third without testing the 'keeper. Reading's two best efforts came from outside the box. Wing struck a superb effort which was just close enough Lo-Tutala for him to get something on it to keep the ball out of the net. Savage drew an even better save from the Rovers 'keeper with a dipping strike across goal which kicked up awkwardly in front of him requiring sharp reflexes to get a hand to it and flick it away.

The second half opened with both teams clearly fancying their chances of taking three points. Rovers certainly were clearly not prepared to sit back and play for a point. The referee had was outrageously lenient in not penalising a string of Rovers challenges just after the interval which prevented Reading from building attacks through midfield and allowed the visitors to gain possession.

Rovers took the lead after sixty-one minutes. As so often happens, an ex-Royal (Billy Sharpe) popped up to score against his former club which provoked even more abuse from the home fans, mainly focused on his physical condition. It was a typical Sharp goal smashing home a loose ball from close range. Judging by his angry reaction to the Lower West when he was substituted six minutes from the end the belligerent Yorkshire man was clearly rattled by the reception he had received! Doyle's equaliser seven minutes after Sharpe's opener proved Reading with the momentum to go on and win the game, but not the crucial composure inside the Rovers penalty area. Kyerewaa had three attempts in the closing stages. One was saved, one was blocked, and one was high and wide, which pretty much summed up Reading's day.

Stating the obvious, Reading need find another natural striker. Ehibhatiomhan has worked hard in Marriot's absence, and is certainly winning more balls in the air, but he is definitely at his best playing in wide a position where he can use his pace to greater effect. Wing and Elliot looked very good on the ball today, and hit some good passes, but they need more up front for their good work in midfield to bear fruit. Reading are a match for any team in this league as the statistics clearly indicate. Apart from the two games at the beginning of the season, they have only lost three of the last thirteen games, and then only by the odd goal on each occasion.

John Wells