Church a saint, then sinner at City

19 December 2009 17:26
A contentious penalty from Paul Hartley looked set to give Bristol City victory in a game which Reading dominated but Church popped up in stoppage time to score a leveller and then see red for celebrating with the away fans.[LNB]The Royals parted company with Brendan Rodgers earlier this week after a poor start to the season and chief scout Brian McDermott - in caretaker charge - took a much-needed point after a strong performance.[LNB]The Robins started well and came close in the second minute when Cole Skuse sent in a shot from the edge of the area which was turned over by Adam Federici.[LNB]Gary Johnson's side were dominant in the opening stages and forged ahead in the 13th minute.[LNB]Striker Nicky Maynard was pushed in the back by Jay Tabb and referee Mark Haywood instantly pointed to the spot.[LNB]Reading were furious with the decision, with substitute Church booked on the sidelines for his protests, but Hartley was undeterred and smashed the spot-kick high into the net.[LNB]McDermott's side were sparked forward by the goal and came close to an immediate response.[LNB]Jobi McAnuff played in Grzegorz Rasiak on the break but the Poland international took a poor touch which allowed City goalkeeper Dean Gerken to make a sprawling save.[LNB]Maynard then sent a powerful shot just wide from the edge of the area before the Royals came close to a leveller.[LNB]Marek Matejovsky unlocked the City defence with a precise pass to free Gylfi Sigurdsson, who rounded Gerken with a smart touch.[LNB]Sigurdsson was forced wide but got a shot away, only to see Jamie McAllister slide in to hammer the ball clear.[LNB]Sigurdsson then forced Gerken into a save moments later from the edge of the area as Reading ended the half well on top.[LNB]Tabb was replaced at the break with McDermott bringing on the experienced figure of Brynjar Gunnarsson and Shane Long had the first sight of goal in the second period.[LNB]Again, Matejovsky was the architect when his pass over the top played Long through on goal but Gerken again came out quickly to shut down the angle and make a smart save.[LNB]Long then headed over from close range as he stretched to meet McAnuff's cross before Church entered the fray.[LNB]And he made an immediate impact in the 90th minute when he converted fellow sub Jimmy Kebe's low cross at the near post before celebrating with fans and being shown a second yellow card by Haywood.[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk