Reading's need to find a new manager was given extra impetus as Bradford ended their run of three straight defeats with a hard-fought draw at the Madejski Stadium.

The Royals have won just one of their six matches since manager Alan Pardew left to join West Ham and needed an equaliser by Andy Hughes to rescue a point.

They had gone ahead early on through Steve Sidwell but goals either side of half-time from Paul Evans and Andy Gray gave Bradford a lead they barely deserved after Reading dominated for long periods.

Reading lost caretaker manager Kevin Dillon on the eve of the match due to family reasons, meaning director of football Nicky Hammond and chief scout Brian McDermott took charge.

The players provided the perfect response as the home side took the lead in only the fifth minute following a delightful move.

Scott Murray played the ball down the line to Nicky Forster who crossed for Shaun Goater and although the former Manchester City striker could not get a shot in, the ball dropped to Sidwell who picked his spot to beat Mark Paston.

It was a dream start for the Royals and they almost doubled the lead soon after but Bradford goalkeeper Paston was equal to Forster's shot.

Nicky Shorey also threatened but was off target with his shot as Bradford struggled to get into the game and their frustration was highlighted by Nicky Summerbee's booking for dissent.

Paston then kept the visitors in the game with a string of fantastic saves to keep out a well-struck shot by Forster, a header from Kevin Watson and a Goater volley.

The equaliser was barely deserved but came in the 44th minute as Evans punished some sloppy defending to curl in a right-foot shot from 25 yards.

Bradford had Jason Gavin booked for handball before the break but took a shock lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Ben Muirhead ran from the halfway line and beat two defenders before playing the ball into the path of Gray who beat Marcus Hahnemann for his second goal in two matches.

Omar Daley headed over and Sidwell had a shot saved by Paston as Reading pressed for an equaliser and the pressure paid off after 78 minutes.

Forster was fouled by Paul Heckingbottom and the resulting free-kick by Shorey looked to be going in before Hughes made sure and added the final touch.

Dean Windass and Gray were booked as Bradford looked to hang onto their point and Paston pulled off another stunning save to keep out a 30-yard effort from Sidwell.

Muirhead was the fifth Bradford player to be shown the yellow card for time wasting in injury-time as the Bantams held on.

Teams

Reading Hahnemann, Newman, Shorey, Mackie, Williams, Murray, Sidwell, Watson (Daley 62), Hughes, Goater, Forster.

Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Salako, Savage, Tyson.

Goals: Sidwell 5, Hughes 78.

Bradford Paston, Edds, Wetherall, Gavin, Heckingbottom, Summerbee (Francis 69), Windass, Evans, Muirhead, Gray, Cornwall (Emanuel 90).

Subs Not Used: Beresford, Kearney, Wolleaston.

Booked: Summerbee, Gavin, Windass, Gray, Muirhead.

Goals: Evans 44, Gray 55.

Att: 12,594

Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).