An inspired substitution from Joe Royle salvaged a point for Ipswich as a
disappointing clash with Reading finished level at the Madejski Stadium.
Royle's side had fallen behind after the break when on-loan Sheffield
Wednesday striker Lloyd Owusu headed home his first goal for the hosts.
But the Ipswich boss immediately replaced Tommy Miller with Martijn Reuser,
and the Dutch midfielder's corner allowed John McGreal to equalise with time
running out and extended Reading's winless run to six matches.
Nicky Forster's hat-trick had given the Royals a 3-1 victory in the
corresponding fixture last season, but the striker was kept on the sidelines by
a stomach injury.
His absence allowed Owusu to return to the starting line-up, but Ipswich
produced the first opportunity for Jermaine Wright, who fired a low shot well
off target from the edge of the box.
Owusu headed wide at other end from Reading's first attack, but the pressure
continued to come from the visitors and Pablo Counago almost found the net with
18 minutes gone.
Jim Magilton's corner was met by the unmarked Spanish forward, but his
powerful header flew past the post.
The chance was a rare one, though, during a low-key first-half.
Ipswich's Kelvin Davis was briefly tested in the 23rd minute when Shaun Goater
got away from the visitors' backline to steer a header straight into the
goalkeeper's arms, and Owusu was equally wasteful moments later, lifting a poor
effort high over the crossbar.
But Reading almost found a goal out of nothing on the half-hour mark when
James Harper's instinctive long-range strike forced a good block from Davis.
And as the hosts attempted to strike before the break, Counago and Magilton
were both booked by referee Michael Ryan.
Both managers resisted the option of changing their sides at half-time, but
the game was in desperate need of inspiration, and Miller's lame attempt from
long range was the best opportunity during the early stages of the second half.
Ipswich striker Shefki Kuqi also stabbed a shot wide before Reading finally
forced the opening goal with 62 minutes gone.
Marcus Hahnemann's long clearance fell to Scott Murray, and the winger's
excellent cross allowed Owusu to guide a near-post header across Davis and into
the net.
Royle threw on Dean Bowditch and Reuser in an effort to snatch a draw, and the
changes paid off with 18 minutes remaining.
The home defence failed to deal with Reuser's curling corner, which gifted
McGreal the easiest of finishes from two yards.
Teams
Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Williams, Brown, Murray,
Newman, Hughes, Harper, Goater (Kitson 78), Owusu (Morgan 78).
Subs Not Used: Young, Watson, Ingimarsson.
Goals: Owusu 62.
Ipswich Davis, Wilnis, Richards, McGreal, Naylor, Wright,
Magilton, Bart-Williams, Miller (Reuser 65),
Counago (Bowditch 65), Kuqi.
Subs Not Used: Abbey, Westlake, Santos.
Booked: Magilton, Counago.
Goals: McGreal 72.
Att: 17,362
Ref: M Ryan (Lancashire).
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