Reading lost further ground on the top two in the Coca-Cola Championship as they were held to a draw by Plymouth.

However, the Royals will be grateful to have escaped from Home Park with a point after trailing twice to Paul Sturrock's rejuvenated side.

Jamie Mackie looked to have secured the points for Argyle 11 minutes after the break when he ran from the halfway line before unleashing a wonderful shot into the top-left corner from 25 yards.

However, Jimmy Kebe ensured the spoils were shared as he latched onto a Shane Long header and slotted the ball home from close range.

Paul Gallagher had earlier put the Pilgrims ahead after 20 minutes, volleying past Adam Federici from six yards after Ashley Barnes had nodded down a long free-kick into the box.

But Reading drew level almost immediately as Marek Matejovsky played a one-two with Stephen Hunt from a corner and swung in a dangerous ball which Alex Pearce headed home.

Argyle boss Paul Sturrock made one change to the side which defeated Watford 2-1 on Tuesday, with Gary Sawyer coming in for Chris Barker at left-back.

Long was recalled to the Reading forward line after coming off the bench to score the winner at Hillsborough in midweek, with Noel Hunt dropping to the bench.

Kalifa Cisse also started in place of the injured Brynjar Gunnarsson, while Kebe replaced Jay Tabb on the wing.

The visitors created the first chance of the game after six minutes, but Michael Duberry headed well wide from Stephen Hunt's inswinging corner.

Plymouth full-back David Gray then saw his ambitious long-range effort fly over the crossbar before Gallagher gave the hosts the lead with his fifth goal in four games.

Pearce quickly brought the visitors back on level terms and three minutes later the defender saw another header cleared off the line by Gallagher as Reading came roaring back.

Argyle were forced into more last-ditch defending seven minutes before the break as Kebe burst down the right before cutting the ball back for Doyle, who saw his goalbound effort scrambled away by Gray.

The hosts were dealt a blow as Gallagher withdrew through injury at the interval, with Rory Fallon coming on in his place.

However, they refused to let the loss of their top scorer affect them as they took the lead for a second time through Mackie's sensational strike.

Fallon tested Federici with a strike from the edge of the area and the powerful striker then saw an effort ruled out for offside as Argyle pressed for a third goal.

However, Reading continued to pose a threat at the other end and Romain Larrieu had to make a superb save to deny Doyle before Cisse fired against the top of the crossbar from the resulting corner.

Long headed over the crossbar from another corner with 15 minutes remaining as Reading's attacking efforts grew increasingly desperate.

The Royals were finally rewarded with Kebe's 80th-minute equaliser, but they were unable to find a winner in the closing stages as Plymouth's defence held firm.

Teams

Plymouth Larrieu, Gray, Cathcart (Timar 25), Seip, Sawyer,Judge (Paterson 79), Fletcher, Duguid, Mackie,Gallagher (Fallon 46), Barnes.

Subs Not Used: Noone, Summerfield.

Goals: Gallagher 20, Mackie 56.

Reading Federici, Rosenior, Pearce (Bikey 68), Duberry,Armstrong, Kebe, Matejovsky, Cisse (Harper 81), Stephen Hunt,Doyle, Long.

Subs Not Used: Hahnemann, Noel Hunt, Tabb.

Booked: Rosenior.

Goals: Pearce 22, Kebe 80.

Att: 14,014

Ref: A Bates (Staffordshire).