Palace started the brighter of the two sides and looked to get the early breakthrough. Julian Gray looked the Eagles biggest threat but they were unable to really threaten the Royals goal.

Reading were the first to get on the score sheet though against the run of the play. Surprisingly it came from a corner! James Harper whipped the ball in to the box where it was met by Ingimarsson, his shot was going on target but was headed onwards by Owusu and the ball hit the top corner of the net. Whether the ball would have gone in if Owusu did not have headed it is undecided but as long as the ball does go in I don't care!

After the goal Reading seemed to gain in confidence and had a number of opportunities to double there lead with chances falling to Owusu, Sidwell and maybe the best falling to John Salako but his shot curled just over the bar. Reading seemed in control but as the half progressed Palace got more and more in to it with Andy Johnson giving Reading a glimpse of what he is capable of. Just after the half hour mark Palace were back in it. A neat bit of play from Dougie Freedman made an opening and he coolly finished off with his outside of his foot in to the bottom corner of the goal. The Eagles were taking the game to the Royals as they looked to go in at half time in the lead, they had to wait till right on half time to do it. Poor defending from the Royals let the Division's top goalscorer, Andy Johnson in and he finished coolly to make it 2:1. So the Royals trailed at the half time interval and it was not looking good for Steve Coppell's men.

Half Time: Crystal Palace 2:1 Reading

No changes were made by either team at half time. The Royals looked a lot better though in to the second half especially in defence were Ingimarsson played well. Just over 10 minutes in to the second half and Reading were back in the game. A good run by Scott Murray infield and pass to Owusu who turned and shot in to the bottom corner of the goal put Reading back on level terms. After his sending off in midweek at Preston Owusu has come back to prove his worth and that he is worth being given a permanent contract at the Madejski.

Reading had enough chances to win the game with the best falling to Shaun Goater, he was one on one with the Palace goalie but his shot was saved  with the feet of the keeper. Palace rallied late on to find a winner but could not force Hahnemann in to many saves. There best opportunity fell to Freedman but he lashed his shot over from the edge of the box. Coppell made two late changes with Owusu and Goater being replaced by Kitson and Morgan but at the end Reading settled for a point in their quest for a Play-off spot

Full time: Crystal Palace 2:2 Reading

Man Of The Match: Lloyd Owusu, the on loan player put his recent sending off behind him and played one of the best games so far on loan at Reading. Surely Coppell must sign him permanently?

Ref Watch: Graham Poll has never been that popular with Royals fans. Made a few poor decisions but not as bad as recent refs..

Next League Game

Reading vs Stoke City

Madejski Stadium,  Saturday 13th March,  3:00 PM