Match Report

Shane Long rescued a point for promotion-chasing Reading six minutes from time after lowly Southampton had seemed certain to do the double over their high-flying rivals.

Reading were unbeaten in seven going into the game and their last loss was a 2-1 defeat at home to Southampton back in November.

Southampton started the game brightly as Reading failed to even get a shot in the first half.

Lee Holmes went close for the Saints on 11 minutes but Adam Federici saved his 15-yard effort.

David McGoldrick was next to test the Reading keeper with a rasping drive from 20 yards just wide of the right-hand post.

The game opened up after the break with Southampton again making all the running against their promotion-chasing rivals.

It was no surprise when Saints took the lead in the 74th minute.

Substitute Kayne McLaggon went on a 30-yard run before releasing top-scorer McGoldrick.

The striker took one touch then put the ball past Federici and into the bottom right-hand corner for his sixth goal of the season.

McGoldrick has not scored for ten games but the finish was not one from a man out of form.

Reading hit back ten minutes later with their equaliser. Stephen Hunt put a free-kick into the box which caused mayhem in the Southampton defence.

Centre-back Michael Duberry headed back for Irish striker Long to dive and head into the net from two yards.

Both sides were now looking for three points and the last six minutes saw chances for both clubs.

McGoldrick went close for Saints with a right-footed shot that went just wide of the right-hand post.

But it was Kevin Doyle who almost stole victory for Reading in the dying seconds.

Doyle, who has already hit 16 goals this season, smashed a right-foot shot from 20 yards that Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis acrobatically tipped over when it was heading to the top corner.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides