Barry Everitt landed a late penalty as London Irish saved a draw from a Zurich Premiership clash against Harlequins they spent most of the time leading.

The Exiles were in charge for most of the game at the Madejski Stadium but Quins almost snatched victory when Simon Keogh crashed over for a last-minute try.

Irish had seemed on course to boost their play-off wildcard bid with a hard-earned win until Pat Sanderson set up a frantic finish by sending Keogh over.

But the home side were in no mood to give the game up and ensured themselves of at least a share of the spoils through Everitt.

Irish had to cope with an early blow when props Rob Hardwick and Neil Hatley took heavy knocks in a ruck just minutes into the game.

The collision forced head coach Gary Gold to bring Doug Wheatley and Adrian Flavin on, the of whom is a hooker who has rarely played at prop.

But the home side maintained their composure and it was they who put points on the board first when Everitt struck a 12th-minute penalty.

Everitt's opposite number Andy Dunne replied with Harlequins' first penalty but Irishman Everitt edged his side ahead with two successful kicks at goal before the interval.

The game improved in the second half and after Quins hooker Tani Fuga just failed to score because of an unlucky knock on, the forwards pushed the visitors forward with a powerful surge.

Irish were forced to concede a penalty and Quins swiftly took the scrum. Playing against a weakened front row Harlequins were in control and ploughed forward for Ben Willis to pick up at the back of the maul and scamper over the line.

But Dunne missed the conversion and two penalties minutes later to let Irish off the hook just as their injury problems went from bad to worse.

This time hooker Naka Drotske took a knock and was ordered off the field forcing the teams to play an uncontested scrum.

The home side came close to scoring with skipper Ryan Strudwick and Flavin coming close. In the end they had to settle for a penalty which looked enough to seal the victory until flanker Sanderson flung out an excellent pass to set up Keogh on the right wing.

Dunne this time made no mistake with the conversion but with Everitt rising to the pressure after 84 minutes to level.

Teams:

London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Appleford, Mordt, Bishop, Everitt, Edwards, Hatley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick, Casey, Danaher, Dawson, Murphy.

Replacements: Flavin for Hatley (6), Wheatley for Hardwick (6), Gustard for Dawson (71).

Not Used: Roche, Sheasby, Barrett, Mapletoft.

Pens: Everitt 5.

Harlequins: Duffy, Keogh, Greenwood, Deane, Monye, Dunne, Willis, Worsley, Fuga, Dawson, Miall, Evans, Sanderson, Vos, Diprose.

Replacements: Jewell for Monye (68), Jones for Dawson (62), Davison for Evans (65).

Not Used: Hayter, Gomez, Winters, J. Taumalolo.

Tries: Willis, Keogh.

Cons: Dunne.

Pens: Dunne.

Att: 9,574

Ref: Chris White (RFU).