Reading were unlucky not to take the full three points at home against Leeds United tonight - but might also be grateful to pick up the draw after the visitors nearly grabbed a late winner. The Royals made it seven home league games without defeat and clung on to second place in the table but were much the better side throughout tonight's fixture. A sell out Madejski Stadium, excluding the away end, saw Leeds United take the lead within the opening two minutes. Sonko, who had a good game otherwise, allowed Leeds to cross from the right and Hahnemann failed to come for the ball allowing a simple headed goal on the edge of the six yard box to put Leeds a goal up. After another brief Leeds attack the game switched round and Reading took firm control with an excellent display of attacking passing football for the rest of the first half. Shaun Goater looked set to put Reading ahead but shot at the keeper after finding himself clean through, and he had a second chance after a Kitson cross saw him narrowly miss a header. Reading's pressure and dominance off the game paid off just before the break when Little was taken down outside the area. Shorey swung in a free kick from the right, Kitson got in a header that appeared to come off the post, before substitute Owusu stuck it home to make it 1-1. The second half saw Reading continue to have the better of the game until we eventually ran out of steam after a frantic hour of football. Little nearly put Reading ahead when his low shot was pushed past the post by the keeper - and the linesman bizzarely awarded a goal kick. Kitson might have done better with another effort after Reading worked another good opportunity. With time running out Leeds made a late claim for the win forcing their first corner of the game and their first real save from Hahnemann in the dying minutes. However, it was Reading that had been much the better side and deserved probably more than just a point.

Following report from John Wells
What impressed me most about this Reading performance is the way they took the game by the scruff of the neck after going a goal down and dominated the play throughout the first half. The richly deserved equaliser came right at the end of the half. Kitson headed against the post and Owusu pounced to force the ball over the line. With some sharper finishing Leeds would have been dead and buried long before the end. The failure to kill the game off nearly allowed Leeds to steal all three points, but Hahnemann pulled off a good save from Deane's last minute header. Had he scored it would have been grossly unfair to Reading who, in my opinion, looked like a side with the ability and self belief to achieve promotion.

Leeds were given the lift of a goal in the first minute when a deflected cross looped into the six yard area where Walton rose unchallenged to nod the ball past Hahnemnann. I think everyone switched off momentarily, but I would expect a 'keeper to come and claim a ball that was that close to goal, given that it was in the air for some time. Apart from a fairly tame strike from Ormerod, and a shot from Ricketts which flashed wide of the post, Leeds created nothing of note in a first half which saw Reading constantly open up the Leeds defence with some excellent passing and movement throughout the team. The long ball was used sparingly as Reading controlled the play by remaining calm in possession and confident with their distribution.

Reading's best chance of the first half fell to Goater who tried to place the ball into the corner leaving Sullivan to make a comfortable save. Little, who posed problems throughout the game with his direct running with the ball, also had a chance. His left foot volley was sweetly struck but virtually straight at Sullivan. He did well to hook the volley on target from a cross which was slightly behind him. Reading also had efforts from Goater, Sidwell and Owusu blocked. Goater limped off seven minutes before half time to be replaced by a very lively and aggressive Owusu who contributed a great deal more than the very sharp finish for the equaliser.

Shortly after half time the Royals spurned two golden opportunities to take the lead. First Kitson, of all people, side-footed tamely at Sullivan when a powerful blast would probably produced a goal. Little was also guilty of wastage when he kept his head to manoeuvre into a scoring position ten yards from goal and scuffed his shot wide when he seemed certain to score. Understandably, given the effort they had put into their game, Reading's challenge began to flag, and when Little was replaced by Convey, I felt the attack looked less potent. Kitson looked a bit weary at times tonight although he has clearly been singled out for a battering in recent games following his good run of form.

I heard a Leeds fan say that he was happy with the point, which a fair indication of the level of respect our club commands at the moment. The current team have earned that respect and their high position in the league.
When we take on Crewe at the weekend we should be thinking more about catching Wigan than worrying about the teams below us. The team are clearly thinking positively so should the fans!
John