Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie felt watching England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would have been impressed by Andrew Johnson's display as the Eagles fought out a 1-1 draw with table-toppers Reading.

Eriksson took time off from issuing tabloid newspapers with lawsuits to make a rare appearance at a Coca-Cola Championship game and saw Johnson fire Palace into a 79th-minute lead from the penalty spot.

However, Johnson and Palace were left to rue a host of missed chances and a fine display from Reading keeper Marcus Hahnemann when James Harper levelled two minutes later.

"I didn't tell him Sven was here," revealed Dowie. "But he can't not have been impressed. He was always a threat and always on the move.

"His link-up play was good, he was full of energy and drive, and he could have had four or five tonight. He's a top player."

Dowie maintains his side can still achieve automatic promotion despite being held to a draw which leaves them 15 points behind second-placed Sheffield United.

"I don't worry about what Reading and Sheffield United do, I only worry about us," he added.

"We've got a big week coming up - Southampton away followed by the FA Cup - and we'll see where we are after that.

"That's 16 points from 18 for us, and that's a pleasing run. Our winning streak has been broken, so we need to go on another one.

"We've played a top team tonight and more than matched them. Man of the match for them was probably the keeper. I thought we were the better side and I'm a little disappointed not to get three points."

Reading boss Steve Coppell, returning to his former club, saluted his side's mental strength after they hit back immediately after falling behind.

A point leaves the Royals 10 points clear of Sheffield United and looking a sure-fire bet for Premiership football next term having narrowly missed out in the previous two seasons.

"There were 12 minutes to go when they scored, yet somehow I knew we'd get chances," he said.

"And to hit back so quickly, and so cleanly, is in stark contrast to how we were last year.

"Marcus made some vital saves, he's been doing it all season and that's been the catalyst for us to go forward, score goals and get results."

Coppell now takes his side to the Algarve for a five-day break, but he insists the trip is not a reward for their stunning efforts this term after they stretched their unbeaten record to 29 matches.

"We're going there to train - there is an agenda to work to - not to have a jolly," he said, before questioning the motives behind Eriksson's visit to Selhurst Park.

"I assumed he was here to watch Glen Little," he added.