Reading striker Dave Kitson scored his 13th goal of the season to earn his
side a Coca-Cola Championship point against Crewe at Gresty Road.
Crewe striker Luke Varney took advantage of a mistake in the Reading defence
to fire his side into an early lead but Kitson, making his second appearance
following a two-month injury lay-off, scrambled the ball home as the visitors
dominated the second half.
The visitors just about shaded possession after the opener but they failed to
create many clear-cut chances and could have fallen further behind if Varney had
been able to convert the other chances which came his way.
Reading were without a Championship win since Boxing Day, and manager Steve
Coppell made sweeping changes to try and buck the trend.
Paul Brooker and Lloyd Owusu started alongside Kitson in attack - Les
Ferdinand out with a groin injury, Glen Little dropping to the bench and Nicky
Forster left out of the 16.
Owusu almost made an immediate impact with a shot straight at Crewe goalkeeper
Clayton Ince, before Brooker went close with a volley.
Crewe were also on a miserable run - without a win since New Year's Day - and
Varney gave them the best possible start with a 10th-minute opener.
David Vaughan carved open the Reading defence with a clever pass - and when
Ivar Ingimarsson's poor clearance landed at the feet of Varney he gave
goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann no chance.
Kitson went in search of a quick response, but his header from Nicky Shorey's
cross cleared the bar before Varney almost doubled his tally with a fierce
effort which flashed wide.
Varney was the liveliest player in a home shirt in the opening period and
could have had a hat-trick, while Crewe midfielder Kenny Lunt went close with a
free-kick as the half drew to a close.
Vaughan and Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell traded efforts as both teams
started the second half in determined fashion.
But it was a scrappy affair compared to the first half and Coppell sent on
winger Little in place of James Harper to try and inject some creativity.
The move almost paid off straight away when the substitute turned quickly and
tried to play in Owusu but the ball fell behind the striker and the attack broke
down.
Kitson had been quiet since the restart but he popped up with the equaliser
with 20 minutes left and that once again came from a mistake.
Ince came off his line but failed to get to the ball and when Ingimarsson won
the header Kitson bundled the ball home through a crowd of players.
Hahnemann kept Reading on level terms with a smart stop from Vaughan and
Varney could only lash the rebound into the side netting.
Reading pressed in the closing stages but they could not find the winner as
under- pressure Crewe held on for a point.
Teams:
Crewe Ince, McCready, Foster, Murdock, Tonkin, Lunt, Sorvel,
Bell, Vaughan, Varney, White (Higdon 73).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Steve Jones, Williams, Rivers.
Booked: Tonkin.
Goals: Varney 12.
Reading Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Hughes,
Sidwell, Harper (Little 66), Brooker, Kitson, Owusu.
Subs Not Used: Convey, Morgan, Newman, Young.
Goals: Kitson 70.
Att: 5,703
Ref: G Laws (Tyne & Wear).
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