Reading 1 The Whites 1

Last updated : 20 October 2004 By Footymad Previewer

The Leeds born sub saw an injury-time diving header acrobatically clawed away by Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann as Kevin Blackwell's well-organised side soaked up the best The Royals had to offer and counter-attacked with venom.

The big American's one-handed intervention extended Reading's unbeaten home record to seven league games and kept The Royals in the second automatic promotion place, three points adrift of leaders Wigan.

But it could have been so different as Leeds started and finished strongly.

The visitors were ahead after only 76 seconds courtesy of Simon Walton's first senior goal. The 17-year-old midfielder headed past Hahnemann after Brett Ormerod's deflected cross had sat up invitingly in front of goal.

Reading, who started the evening in second place, did not take long to respond and should have been level 12 minutes later. Dave Kitson picked out Shaun Goater but the Bermudan's shot was too close to Neil Sullivan.

Those two combined once more 12 minutes later, although this time Glen Little started the move from the right. Kitson dropped his header on to Goater's boot, but the volley was deflected wide.

But Reading did deservedly level through substitute Lloyd Owusu on the stroke of half-time.

Steve Coppell, had, minutes earlier, taken off Goater and brought on Owusu.

It proved an inspired move when Sullivan could only push Kitson's header into Owusu's path two yards out.

Kitson's goalbound header was fumbled on to a post by Sullivan and Owusu was on hand to bundle home his first league goal of the season.

That should have provided the platform for Reading to go on and win the game, but Kitson and Glen Little both wasted glorious chances for the home side.

Kitson failed to claim his eighth league goal of the campaign when he shot straight at Sullivan after Owusu had helped the ball into his path.

And Little got himself in a tangle in front of goal before scuffing a shot agonisingly wide with just Sullivan to beat.

Kitson threatened a spectacular winner but failed to connect with a bicycle kick after substitute Bobby Convey had sent over a fierce cross.

But Leeds deserved a point for their efforts and so nearly made it three when Deane brought the best out of the impressive Hahnemann.