Reading were denied a League One home win against Shrewsbury as they let a one-goal lead slip against their relegation battling opponents.
Jayden Wareham netted his first home League One goal of the campaign to give the Royals a one-goal half-time lead before the Shrews quickly levelled in the second-half to take a point.
The result sees Reading drop down to 9th in the table and three points off the play-off places.
Reading went into the game with momentum having earned an impressive point away to fellow play-off chasers Huddersfield.
However, it was the Shrews who were much more inspired in attack throughout the half.
Gareth Ainsworth’s team had a huge chance to go in front when they were awarded a penalty when Chem Campbell brought down a Shrews player in the box.
But it was Royals keeper Joel Pereira who came to the rescue, not once but twice. He first saved John Marquis’ penalty and then stopped the follow up before being mobbed in celebration by his teammates.
Reading stole the advantage and made Shrewsbury pay for their missed chances when Wareham was able to profit from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan’s tenacity in the box and cut back as he dispatched from close range.
The Shrews found a leveller quickly after the restart when T Perry made it 1-1
Despite a disappointing display from the hosts, Reading had chances in the second-half to restore the lead when Campbell was blocked on the line before Ehibhatiomhan went down in the box but wasn’t awarded a penalty.
The game ended all square which means Reading sit three places and three points off the play-off positions.
Reading: Pereira, Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia, Wing, Savage, Knibbs, Campbell, Ehibhatiomhan, Wareham
Subs: Button, Abrefa, Bodin, Camara, Holzman, Kanu, Rushesha
Shrewsbury Town: Blackman, J Feeney, M Feeney, Nurse, Hoole, Biggins, Gape, Benning, Perry, Marquis, Lloyd
Subs: Dinanga, Gilliead, Nsiala, Oliver, Savin, Shipley, Stewart
Goals: Wareham 28’, Perry 56’
