Reading FC 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Instant Reaction

Reading: Al Habsi; Gunter, McShane, Hector, Taylor; McCleary (Hurtado), Williams, Norwood; Blackman, Sa (Piazon), Vydra

As mentioned, the first half failed to set the pulses racing as both teams looked content to cancel each other out in the middle of the park. Nick Blackman had the best chance for the Royals as he headed Matej Vydra's cross wide, whilst Ali Al Habsi made a fine save at his near post from Tommer Hemed's header from a corner.

Thankfully the second half livened up, though it was Albion who took the lead with a blinding counter attack - Jamie Murphy finishing clinically from Hemed's drilled cross. Michael Hector almost doubled the away side's lead as he tried a backpass which caught Al Habsi out, but the Omanian sprinted back to clear off the line.

Reading piled on the pressure for an equaliser, and a golden chance was spurned when Vydra was played in one-on-one, but tried to square to Blackman rather than shooting himself - the pass was behind his strikemate and Brighton cleared their lines. But the Czech made up for his error later on, getting to the ball first to slam home after Blackman's long range shot was spiller by David Stockdale.

The Royals looked the more likely to win the match as Albion locked in for a draw and tried to counter, but ultimately time ran out and both sides would probably agree that sharing the points was the fairest outcome.

We'll have a full report up later, as well as our usual post-match analysis in the coming days.