Lloyd Owusu's brace gave Reading a valuable point from an open game at Selhurst Park.

Both sides are in need of wins in order to break into the top six, but Reading boss Steve Coppell will be satisfied to see his side take something from a game they could have easily lost.

Owusu, who was sent off against Preston in midweek, powered a header past Cedric Berthelin after Ivar Ingimarsson had flicked on James Harper's corner to put Reading ahead after 14 minutes.

Palace dragged themselves back into the game with goals from Dougie Freedman and Andy Johnson, but Owusu was on hand to convert his 10th goal of the season after the break to frustrate Iain Dowie's side.

Freedman passed a late fitness test to deputise for the suspended Neil Shipperley, and the Scottish striker was inches away from opening the scoring early on.

The former Nottingham Forest man was in pole position to convert Johnson's looping header but Adie Williams was able to clear the danger.

Julian Gray recovered from a thigh injury to take his place in the Palace midfield but soon required treatment after a heavy challenge. The winger proved no lasting damage had been done with a fine strike from distance which drifted narrowly wide of the upright.

Palace's intelligent passing saw them in the ascendancy as the half went on, and it was no surprise when Freedman equalised.

Johnson proved he is more than just a goalscorer with a neat lay-off which Freedman took into his stride before sweeping his 12th goal of the season past Marcus Hahnemann.

The Royals' American goalkeeper was picking the ball out of his net again a minute before the break.

Johnson, whose goals have transformed Palace from relegation candidates into promotion candidates, controlled Danny Granville's cross on his chest before beating Hahnemann from the edge of the area with a sweet left-footed finish.

Reading were level 11 minutes after the break when Owusu converted his second of the afternoon after Scott Murray's excellent pass.

Shaun Goater was largely ineffective in the Reading attack, but the former Manchester City man drew a fine save from Berthelin after finding space.

Palace pushed hard in search of a winner, with Freedman guilty of wasting their best chance. A powerful run from Shaun Derry saw him drive through the centre of the Reading defence before finding Freedman, who could not keep his shot under the bar.

Teams

Crystal Palace Berthelin, Butterfield, Popovic, Hudson, Granville, Routledge, Derry (Soares 90), Hughes, Gray, Johnson, Freedman.

Subs Not Used: Smith, Black, Borrowdale, Leigertwood.

Booked: Hughes, Derry.

Goals: Freedman 33, Johnson 44.

Reading Hahnemann, Hughes, Ingimarsson, Williams, Shorey, Murray, Sidwell, Harper, Salako, Goater (Kitson 83), Owusu (Morgan 85).

Subs Not Used: Savage, Brooker, Young.

Goals: Owusu 14, 56.

Att: 17,853

Ref: G Poll (Hertfordshire).