Bournemouth have been held to a 1-1 draw by Championship side Reading in a pre-season clash at the Madejski Stadium this evening.
Lewis Cook gave the Cherries the lead shortly before half time, but the home side hit back through John Swift shortly after the interval to earn a share of the spoils against their top-flight opponents.
It was Eddie Howe's side who made the brighter start to the match, and after a few promising positions went begging for Callum Wilson they came close to breaking the deadlock when Joshua King rifled a shot narrowly over the crossbar.
The visitors came even closer midway through the half when Dan Gosling was denied by Ali Al-Habsi before sending the rebound against the upright.
Cook created that chance, but he had his own name on the scoresheet with less than 10 minutes remaining of the first half when he raced on to a through-ball before calmly slotting his finish past the Reading keeper to register his first goal for the club.
The home side were level just five minutes after half time, though, as Craig Tanner swung the ball in for Swift, who controlled it, turned and beat Artur Boruc from close range to restore parity.
Max Gradel, who recently signed a contract extension at the Vitality Stadium, came close to restoring Bournemouth's lead with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Al-Habsi was equal to his low free kick from 25 yards.
That proved to be the last of the clear chances for either side as they were forced to settle for a draw, with Reading now looking ahead to their first Championship game of the season next weekend while Bournemouth take on Cardiff City in another friendly tomorrow.
Barney Corkhill
