Reading missed out on the chance to move closer to the League One play-off places as they were held at home by Stevenage.
The Royals could have ended the day level on points with the top six, only outside the play-off places on goal difference, but were unable to take maximum points.
The two dropped points at home means that Reading are two points off the play-off positions with nine matches left to play.
There was a first start in 11 months for club captain Andy Yiadom who was asked to fill in at centre-back following injuries to Amadou Mbengue, Harlee Dean and a suspension for Michael Stickland.
The first-half ended in a stalemate with both teams having just one shot on target each.
The best chance of the half came Stevenage’s way as Joel Pereira stopped Dan Kemp’s close range volley.
The Royals made a fast start to the second-half and grabbed the lead courtesy of an own goal as Carl Piergianna headed into his own net from a Reading corner.
However, it was Pierginanni who made amends a little over 10 minutes later when he nodded past Periera.
Reading tried to restore their lead and protested for a penalty when Ehibhatiomhan went down in the box with 15 minutes to go, but had their appeals waved away before Harvey Knibbs smacked a volley wide of the target.
But it was Stevenage who then came very close to turning the game on its head when Jordan Roberts missed by a matter of inches.
After eight minutes of added time at the end of the 90, the game ended with the teams each taking a point.
The result means Reading are in 8th position on 59 points from 37 games, two points off the top six.
Reading: Abrefa, Yiadom, Bindon, Garcia, Savage, Wing, Knibbs, Campbell, Ehibhatiomhan, Wareham
Subs: Button, Akande, Bodin, Camara, Carroll, Holzman, Rushesha
Stevenage: Cooper, Freeman, Goode, Piergianni, Butler, Thompson, King, Roberts, Kemp, Reid, Hanlan
Subs: Appear, Ashby-Hammond, Freestone, List, Sweeney, White, Young
Goals: Piergianna o.g (49’), 60’
