Reading FC picked up another valuable point on the road with a stalemate at Barnsley.
After falling behind early in the match, it was Sam Smith’s double which had Reading in front before the Tykes equalised as the points were shared.
The Royals were looking to push on having won just their second league game away from home at the weekend by beating Peterborough.
In the absence of Amadou Mbengue, who picked up an injury at Peterborough, Ruben Selles handed a first league start to Louie Holzman.
It was a slow start from Reading who found themselves a goal down just seven minutes in when Davis Keillor-Dunn fired past Joel Pereira.
Reading were put under plenty of pressure throughout the first half and had very little in the way of chances themselves, with Sam Smith and Charlie Savage both aiming wide.
Reading came out firing and scored within five minutes of the restart when Smith diverted Chem Campbell’s shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The game was turned on its head when Smith found his second of the night to put Reading in front.
Barnsley failed to clear from Savage’s corner before Smith tucked the ball away.
However, the hosts found a leveller just a few minutes later through Earl to put the game back on terms.
That was the end of the scoring which means Reading are in 7th place on 27 points.
Next up, Reading host Harborough Town in the FA Cup second-round on Sunday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Barnsley: Killip, Russell, Roberts, Gevigney, O’Keeffe, Phillips, Gent, Earl, Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys, Connell (C)
Subs: Pines, Cosgrove, Jalo, Smith, Lofthouse, Craig, Nwakali
Reading: Pereira, Dorsett, Elliott, Craig, Knibbs, Savage, Smith, Campbell, Bindon, Wing (C), Holzman
Subs: Button, Wareham, Camara, Garcia, Kanu, Akande, Ahmed
Goals: Keillor-Dunn 7’, Smith 50’, 66’, Earl 72’
