Reading hosted Leicester City on Monday night knowing that they needed to avoid defeat to return to the playoff places in the Championship.
The Royals broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when Alex Pearce found space to find the bottom corner with a header, but Leicester were level before the break thanks to a powerful effort from Danny Drinkwater.
Substitute Mikele Leigertwood was sent off late on for a second bookable offence, but it didn't have an impact on the result as both sides were forced to settle for a point.
Read below to find out how Leicester edged another step closer to winning the title.
Good evening everyone. I'll be bringing you live text coverage of the Championship clash between Reading and Leicester City tonight. Leicester are already promoted, but can they deal a blow to Reading's hopes of returning to the Premier League?
Due to results over the weekend, Reading have dropped to eighth in the table and they can't afford to suffer a defeat in front of their home supporters tonight. A draw or victory would see them move back up to sixth with just four games remaining.
Leicester have achieved what they wanted to do this season. They will be playing in the Premier League next season, but Nigel Pearson will desperately want his side to win the Championship. The Foxes aren't far away, and they'll be nine points clear of their closest rivals Burnley if they can record victory this evening.
READING: McCarthy, Gunter, Bridge, Pearce, Morrison, Hector, Williams, Obita, McCleary, McAnuff, Pogrebnyak
SUBSTITUTES: Federici, Kelly, Gorkss, Leigertwood, Robson-Kanu, Drenthe, Le Fondre
LEICESTER: Schmeichel, De Laet, Morgan, Wasilewski, Schlupp, Mahrez, Hammond, Drinkwater, Dyer, Nugent, Vardy
SUBSTITUTES: Konchesky, King, Moore, Taylor-Fletcher, Knockaert, Logan, Wood
Reading boss Nigel Adkins makes four changes to the side which was beaten by Bournemouth in their last game. Danny Williams wins his fitness battle to be named in the team for the hosts. Pearson has decided to make five alterations to his team
A reminder to everyone that the game begins at 8.07pm tonight as the English game continues to pay tribute to the 96 people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough 25 years ago.
Pearson has made those five changes on the back of a home defeat to Brighton, who took full advantage of a Leicester side possibly still in celebration mode after securing promotion. The big news for the visitors is that Jamie Vardy is back in the team to partner David Nugent in attack. Reading will not have wanted to see him return tonight.
It's a big, big night for Reading. They've got five games to make sure they earn a playoff spot. However, there are plenty of sides still in contention for a spot in the top six, with Brighton, Ipswich Town, Bournemouth and Wigan all keeping a close eye on proceedings this evening.
Adkins will send his players out to be positive this evening. Leicester are unlikely to be below-par twice in one week, but the determination of reaching the playoffs surely plays a big part. Reading will want to be on the front foot early on, and if they can score the first goal, Adkins will be confident.
"I hope we get back to the type of performance we've had for almost the entirety of the season," Pearson has told Sky Sports prior to tonight's match. "It's important to ourselves that we finish the season off trying to improve. Every game you play in this league you're playing against a side that have something to play for."
These two teams last met on Boxing Day. Leicester moved to the top of the Championship that day thanks to David Nugent's penalty in the first half. The Foxes haven't looked back since then, and have produced some superb football in the last few months.
Leicester need just seven more points to win the title. Burnley are the only side who can stop the league leaders, but they will fall nine points behind Leicester if the visitors pick up a victory tonight.
Speaking ahead of tonight's game, a confident Adkins told Reading's official website: "It's still in our hands. I'd back us all the way in the playoff positions, but we've got to get there first. Everything that has happened this season, we now put to one side. We looked forward to the next game, with a desire, hunger and positivity."
The Madejski stadium is just starting to fill up nicely as the game approaches. Reading's home form has been a big problem in recent weeks, with three defeats and three draws coming in their previous six matches in front of their own supporters. That is simply not good enough. It needs to change tonight.
Despite struggling at home recently, Reading can take a lot of confidence from their record when facing Leicester. The Royals have won five of the six previous matches against the Foxes, with the 1-0 loss on Boxing Day the only defeat.
Leicester will of course be full of confidence, and they boast a good away record heading into this game. Pearson's men have won 12 of 20 games on the road, and Derby are the only side to score more goals than the leaders on their travels.
Both sets of players have arrived on the pitch. Simon Hooper is the referee, and he leads the teams out to a good reception. We're just a few moments away from the action.
Before the game gets underway, there will be a minute's silence as part of the tribute to those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.
Here we go then. The minute's silence has been observed perfectly. It's time for Reading to start the game.
Bright start from Reading as they push back Leicester. Pogrebnyak collects the ball in a good position, but he chooses to ignore Obita on the left before striking a shot against a visiting defender.
Gunter gets forward on the right to link well with McCleary. The ball is pulled back for Pogrebnyak, whose effort is well blocked. Gunter picks up the loose ball before firing a wild shot into the stands behind the goal.
It's not a full house, but the Reading supporters that are here have been encouraged by their side's confident start. Leicester haven't seen much of the ball yet. Adkins needs his side to stay on top.
Leicester are starting to settle, despite having a few problems keeping the ball in advanced positions. Vardy makes a good run in an attempt to collect a long ball, but the pass proves to be too strong for the forward.
Much better from the visitors. The pace of the game has slowed slightly since Reading's lively start. Most of the passes are being played in the middle of the pitch as the midfielders battle for superiority.
Leicester have a goal disallowed! A lovely passing move involving Nugent, Vardy and Dyer ends with Schlupp delivering a perfect cross into the six yard box. Vardy arrives to tap the ball in, but the flag is up. A replay shows that it was a very tight decision. I think the assistant referee may have got it right.
Schmeichel is forced to rush off his line to collect the ball as McAnuff looked to take advantage of a stumble from De Laet. Good goalkeeping from the Dane.
Vardy makes another clever run to lose Morrison. His cross is cleared away, with Nugent looking to be found on the penalty spot, rather than closer to the goal. Vardy is causing plenty of problems already.
Some poor defending on show as De Laet is given too much space to connect with a corner. Fortunately for the hosts, his effort on the run is a couple of yards wide.
GOAL! READING 1-0 LEICESTER (PEARCE)
Reading make the breakthrough! Pogrebnyak wins the free kick in a good position, and the hosts take full advantage. Pearce has a tough task of finding the back of the net at the far post, but he climbs highest to place the ball in the corner. It's a big goal for Reading.
Reading should be full of confidence now. They've taken the lead in 20 Championship games this season, and are yet to taste defeat in a match when they have scored the first goal. Can they continue that run tonight?
That goal certainly seems to have calmed the home fans. Reading look hungrier now, winning most of the 50/50 balls. Leicester will be eager to respond as soon as possible.
Pearce isn't far away from a second goal as he arrives in the box to meet a corner. He struggles to make firm contact with the ball, though, and Mahrez eventually clears.
De Laet sends in a cross from the right wing. Reading fail to clear the first ball, but Mahrez is unable to take full advantage as he heads a weak effort straight into McCarthy's hands.
Morgan, who gave away the free kick which led to the goal, commits another foul on the wing. Obita's delivery is a good one, but the visitors manage to clear the ball away for a corner. Leicester survive the extended spell of pressure.
Reading are in control of this game now. Pogrebnyak's appeals for a penalty are ignored by the referee, but a replay suggests that Hammond may have handled the ball as he looked to head away. The hosts have perhaps been a bit unlucky there.
Good work from Pogrebnyak, who comes back to help out his defence before winning a free kick when De Laet dives in to tackle the forward.
SAVE! Brilliant work from McCleary to go past Schlupp on the right. The winger looks to pick out McAnuff on the run, but the Reading skipper is denied from close range when Schmeichel gets a foot on his effort.
Reading will know that Leicester can respond at any moment, so a second goal would be very important. They've been on top since breaking the deadlock, but they have to take any chances that come their way.
SHOT! Mahrez collects the ball as Leicester counter with good pace. He turns a couple of Reading defenders to earn space, before seeing a powerful effort held by McCarthy.
GOAL! READING 1-1 LEICESTER (DRINKWATER)
Leicester are level! Reading make a couple of important blocks, but the visitors keep the move alive. The ball comes to Drinkwater, who unleashes a powerful strike from the edge of the box. It's not in either corner, but McCarthy is left unsighted as he watches the ball hit the back of the net. It's a great strike from the midfielder.
McCleary dips into his bag of tricks to find a yard of space. The winger aims for the top corner from long range, but he fails to test Schmeichel with a wayward effort.
Leicester are beginning to find their rhythm in possession as Reading drop slightly deeper. The hosts can't afford to fall behind before the break.
Hammond dives in on McCleary to concede a free kick in the middle of the pitch. The Leicester midfielder is very lucky not to be booked for that tackle. McCleary's strike from distance just moments later is easily collected by Schmeichel.
CHANCE! McAnuff is guilty of losing possession to Drinkwater on the edge of his own box as Leicester look to apply pressure. Reading eventually concede a corner, which is powerfully headed over the crossbar by Morgan. The captain should do much better from six yards out.
Mahrez switches wings with Dyer to collect the ball on the left. He manages to get himself in a good position, but his cross is deflected into McCarthy's hands.
The ball sits up perfectly for Nugent on the edge of the box, and he can't resist ignoring Mahrez on his right to unleash a shot. A good block from Pearce is followed by a clearance from Bridge.
CHANCE! A long ball forward is enough to send McCleary through on goal. The winger's pace takes him away from the Leicster defence, but his attempted lob is pushed past the post by Schmeichel. It's a very good save, but the referee causes more frustration for McCleary by refusing to give a corner.
HALF TIME: READING 1-1 LEICESTER
An entertaining first half at the Madejski Stadium ends with the two teams level. Reading's bright start was rewarded when Pearce headed them into the lead, but Leicester responded thanks to Drinkwater's powerful strike from the edge of the box. The Royals have produced some good football, while Leicester are threatening to get back to their best.
Both sides missed great chances to take the lead before the break. Morgan put far too much power on his header from close range after losing his marker on the box. McCleary was rightly left frustrated when he was not given a corner later on, but he should have beaten Schmeichel after beating the offside trap.
The match statistics show just how even the first half was, with both teams having eight shots in the opening 45 minutes. Reading have managed to get four of those efforts on target, while Leicester have found the target on four occasions.
It will be interesting to see how quickly each manager turns to his bench for inspiration. Adam Le Fondre has struggled in recent weeks, but he has shown in the past just how much of an impact he can have off the bench. For Leicester, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Anthony Knockaert could both have big roles to play.
Both teams are back out in the middle. It will be Leicester who get the second half underway.
The second half starts quietly, white neither side able to keep the ball for an extended period. Nugent uses some space to fire over the crossbar from 25 yards. McCarthy never seemed to be too worried about the effort.
CLOSE! McCleary's impressive game continues as he gets past Schlupp with some great skill on the right wing. The cross which follows reaches Pogrebnyak. His headers isn't timed well, and the ball strikes the post before the ball is cleared by Morgan. Inches away from a second for Reading.
Reading really need to take every chance they create from here. Leicester are struggling to keep possession at the moment as the hosts step up the pace once again.
Great defending from De Laet as he follows McAnuff's run before holding off the winger to win a goal kick for his team. Clever play in the build-up from Williams.
SAVE! Nugent plays a superb pass to find Drinkwater just outside the six yard box. The midfielder attempts to chip the ball over McCarthy from close range, but the goalkeeper stays up long enough to block the shot with his face.
Schlupp keeps the move alive after a corner is cleared. His deflected effort reaches Wasilewski at the back post, but the defender's strike is put behind for a corner. Reading hold firm to clear the danger at the second time of asking.
Leicester are seeing much more of the ball now as they look to take control of the game. Drinkwater seems to be at the heart of everything as Reading are forced to make a couple of vital interceptions to keep the visitors out.
Pogrebnyak's eagerness to win the ball back ends with him giving away a needless free kick. Leicester work the ball short, but De Laet fails to keep it in as he looks to cross from the right wing.
SUBSTITUTION: Reading get themselves in trouble when Morrison fails to head the ball away. Drinkwater finds Nugent in the box, but his touch is poor from six yards out and the chance passes him by. Adkins then makes his first change by replacing Williams with Mikele Leigertwood.
The home supporters are getting frustrated with the amount of misplaced passes played by Reading in the second half. Adkins looks concerned too as he shouts orders at his players. Reading need to improve to find the win they desperately need.
SUBSTITUTION: Obita finds a pocket of space on the edge of the box, before seeing a shot deflected behind for a corner. Pearson then uses his bench for the first time, bringing on Chris Wood to replace Vardy.
CHANCE! McAnuff whips the ball in from a corner. Morrison loses his marker inside the box, but can only head over the crossbar from a good position.
YELLOW CARD! De Laet's hands are in the air and he is punished when the ball strikes his arm at pace. The first booking is shown to the defender, but Leicester manage to clear the free kick which follows.
Reading have just started to dictate the tempo in the last couple of minutes. Leicester are being pushed back, but the quality of the final ball must be better from the hosts.
Leicester break forward well, but Reading have enough players back to make sure that Hammond's effort is blocked after the ball falls to him on the edge of the both. Both sides are going for the victory.
SUBSTITUTION: Leicester make their second change as Andy King comes off the bench to replace Hammond.
YELLOW CARD! Leigertwood has been impressive since coming on, but his eagerness to win the ball ends with him being booked for a challenge on Dyer. Hal Robson-Kanu then comes on for Obita.
Drinkwater fails to direct a header towards goal after McCarthy struggles to deal with a cross. The Leicester supporters are urging their team forward as the visitors begin to dominate again.
There isn't long left for either side to find a winner at the Madejski Stadium. Leicester have played the better football in the second half, but Reading seem eager to use their pace on the counter attack.
De Laet doesn't have too many options, but his chipped pass forward almost causes problems for the hosts until McCarthy sprints off his line to collect the ball.
SUBSTITUTION: Nugent's night comes to an end as he makes way for Taylor-Fletcher with 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.
Leicester are still dominating possession, but they're struggling to break Reading down as the hosts drop deeper to limit the space available. Are the Royals settling for a point?
SUBSTITUTION: McCleary's night ends disappointingly as he limps off with an injury to be replaced by Royston Drenthe. Le Fondre won't get his chance to make an impact from the bench.
Poor from McAnuff, who fails to keep possession for his side as they look to threaten from the right wing. A lack of quality in the final third has been their problem in the second half.
RED CARD! Reading are reduced to 10 men with just a few minutes left in the game. Leigertwood chops down Mahrez, who was sprinting away from him on the right, and he is correctly shown a second yellow card. The midfielder is off after spending just 26 minutes on the pitch.
Reading are still looking to get forward, but very few players are committed to the attack as Hector plays a pass into an area which Pogrebnyak can't reach.
The fourth official confirms that there will be five minutes added on. Can anyone find a winner?
Clever play from Mahrez and De Laet on the right wing, but Reading manage to keep out the first cross before taking advantage of a poor touch from Taylor-Fletcher to clear.
SHOT! Leicester break forward after a rare Reading attack. Drinkwater is offered far too much space on the edge of the box, but he is unable to keep a powerful effort from flying over the crossbar.
Leicester are applying most of the pressure, but it looks like they will run out of time in their search for a winning goal. Reading look to be settling for the point after being reduced to 10 men.
Reading win final corner, which creates problems when Schmeichel fails to punch clear. Leicester react quickest to clear the danger from inside the box.
FULL TIME: READING 1-1 LEICESTER
It's all over at the Madejski Stadium. Reading return to the playoff places, but their disappointing run at home continues. Leicester edge another step closer to winning the title, with the Foxes needing just six more points to make sure they finish top.
Thanks for joining me tonight. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
