Reading 1, Ipswich 1

READING put in a much better performance in their first home match of 2004 to earn a point in an evenly-matched contest on Saturday.

With star striker Nicky Forster still sidelined by injury, Royals paired Shaun Goater and Lloyd Owusu in attack as they continued their 4-4-2 formation.

Steven Sidwell was absent through illness so Andy Hughes returned to partner Ricky Newman in central midfield.

In the opening stages, Ipswich dominated as Royals chased shadows in the middle of the park. But the visitors never threatened the goal as their slick passing was confined to non-dangerous areas.

The first serious test of either goalkeeper came after 29 minutes, when James Harper fired a fierce right-foot drive from 25 yards at Kelvin Davis. He positioned himself well to stop the shot.

At the other end, Marcus Hahnemann then held a flicked header from Pablo Counago, after a right-wing cross, before Royals created another good chance on 44 minutes.

Scott Murray beat his man on the right and his cross was met by a thundrous header on the run by Hughes. But the effort flew a couple of feet over the bar.

After the break, Shefki Kuqi went on a long run through the inside-right channel but shot wide of the far post. Then Graeme Murty, having an excellent match, denied Counago twice in a minute with great tackles in the box.

The Royals responded just after the half-hour mark when Murray's right-wing corner was punched weakly by Davis to Goater, but he could only spoon his shot wide.

Reading quickly forgot about that as they took the lead with a quality quick break after 62 minutes.

Hahnemann kicked clear to Murray on the right. He took the ball on and crossed perfectly to the near post, where Owusu glanced a fantastic header from 10 yards past the diving Davis and into the far corner of the net.

The Tractor Boys didn't give up and they drew level 10 minutes later when two defenders failed to clear a left-wing corner from Martin Reuser. Dean Bowditch headed goalwards and John McGreal lashed the ball home from a few yards.

Murray almost put Royals ahead within a minute, cutting in from the inside-right channel, but Davis held his low left-foot effort.

Then, Murray's left-wing free-kick found Hughes, but Davis again stopped his bullet header.

The Royals replaced their two hard-working strikers Goater and Owusu but they continued to press.

Eight minutes from time, Davis again saved his side with a fine parry after a thundrous left-foot blast from Murty on the right of the box.

After a few tricks from substitute Dean Morgan late on came to nothing, the Royals were left to share the points with their higher-placed opponents.

While home wins are always vital, a point and an improved performance at least show signs of encouragement ahead of tomorrow night's tricky FA Cup replay at home against Preston (8pm).

Reading (4-4-2): Hahnemann; Murty, Williams, Brown, Shorey; Murray, Newman, Hughes, Harper; Owusu (sub Morgan 78min), Goater (sub Kitson 78min). Subs not used: Young, Watson, Ingimarsson.