Reading FC threw away two precious points in dramatic fashion as a stoppage-time equaliser from Port Vale dented their hopes of finishing in the play-off places.
With the Royals knowing victory was essential against the division’s bottom side, they appeared poised to claim a hard-fought win before being punished deep into added time.
Reading began brightly and controlled much of the first half, probing patiently against a Port Vale side low on confidence but determined to frustrate. Their pressure eventually told near the end of the half when Kadan Young was brought down for a penalty, which was converted by captain Lewis Wing.
Port Vale, fighting for an unlikely route to survive relegation, rarely threatened but remained resolute. As the fourth official signalled six minutes of added time, Reading seemed on course to see the game out comfortably. However, a hopeful delivery into the box caused panic in the home defence, and amid a scramble the visitors bundled the ball over the line to snatch a dramatic equaliser.
The results means that Leam Richardson’s side are in 7th position and now four points behind 6th placed Huddersfield who extended the gap on Reading with a victory.
Reading fans showed their frustration on social media following the dropped points to League One’s bottom side.
One fan said: “How many games does it take conceding after 90 minutes to learn not to just sit back?”
Another added: “It’s been awful for weeks and today sums it up. 1700 fans away from home against bottom of the league who were hopeless and the performance and overall tactics are a disgrace. The manager has us playing some of the worst football I’ve seen in 25+ years.”
Another fan said: “I’ve tried to defend Leam but this is just ridiculous, we dominated that first-half and then we come out and try and defend the whole second half.”
Another supporter added: “Awful performance again. Kadan Young’s dive for the penalty is the only reason we have a point. More boring football from Leam Richardson. Zero shots on target in the second half and Pereira wasting time as usual. When will this end?
One more fan said: “An absolute joke, dropped two points to rock bottom Port Vale. The whole second half they were all over us. We let them attack at us, it is a repeat of Bolton at home. If you give them enough chances, they will score even when they are poor. If we want to go up then we must improve.”
