Starting slowly in stormy north-eastern conditions, Reading were kept in the game during the first-half with smart stops by goalkeeper Grace Moloney, opening the door for the visitors to take the lead through Lois Roche's free-kick.
Into the second period, Sunderland's main threat and last season's top scorer Beth Mead levelled straight from kick off. Moments later, the Mackems were denied a winner as Mead's shot was cleared off the line, and the Royals aimed shots at goal through Emma Follis and Jade Boho-Sayo, but were unable to take the lead once more.
In front of 699 fans at The Hetton Centre, the draw marks Reading's first in the top-tier, having lost 3-1 to a strong Arsenal side on matchday one. That game, which saw Boho-Sayo bag the Royals' first top-flight goal, had put Reading into the bottom two before this point lifts them to sixth as the only side to have played two games.
Stranded in Sunderland still...bus broken...not like it's a 5 hour journey as it is #getmehome
— Emma Follis (@emma_foll) March 26, 2016
Next up is another match with Sunderland in the Women's FA Cup on April 3 before a break and a further trip to Notts County on April 24.
1st point on the board in WSL1..great shift from everyone and what an effort from the travelling fans in horrendous conditions #BestFans
— Kayleigh Hines (@KayleighMHines) March 27, 2016