Substitute Yakou Meite denied Nottingham Forest victory as his goal secured Reading a 1-1 draw at the City Ground.
After Lucas Joao hit the post in the first half for the visitors, Sammy Ameobi helped give Forest the lead when his cross was blasted by Tom Holmes into his own net.
But Forest, missing defender Joe Worrall, were almost punished instantly when George Puscas raced clean through but could only blast high over the bar when well-placed.
Reading started to load their attack in the search of an equaliser and it almost came when Andy Yiadom burst into the area, but saw his low shot cannon off the upright.
But the Royals got their reward when Joao picked out substitute Meite with a fine pass and he raced forward to fire past Samba.
Reading turned the screw in the final minutes, but Forest held firm to claim a point.
Here is everything boss Chris Hughton had to say after the game.
What were your thoughts on the performance and the result?
We had a period where I felt that we were going to hold on. They made changes, they are a very offensive team and have got a lot of good players. But I thought we were always in the game.
It ebbed and flowed a little bit and I thought we had decent periods. They probably looked the more threatening with the players they've got. But at one stage, I thought we were going to win it.
I thought we were going to stay strong. But they've got such quality.
When you finish a game like this, sometimes you've got to appreciate that with the quality that they've got in front of goal then it's another game where we haven't really conceded a lot of goals.
It keeps the sort of run going in terms of not conceding so many goals. It's just can we go on and win these games? That's the next part.
From Reading's point of view, the turning point for them was the save from Sammy Ameobi. If it's 2-0 it is a different game isn't it?
I didn't realise it was that good of a save until I saw it after.
That was one of our good efforts.
We got into some really good positions, we put in a lot of crosses particularly in the first half so I've certainly no complaints about the effort that the team put in. There was a little bit naivety at the end where our game management had to be a little bit better.
But we're up against a strong team and they showed why they are pushing and why they have been in that top six all season. I'd say probably the overriding feeling is that we are probably happy with the draw.
Are you disappointed that, with nine minutes to go, you don't win the game?
When you calm down, which it takes a little while too, then I think you get a full sort of grip of the game.
I think, for us, and I think the way that we had to play, it was a fair result.
But the big disappointment is that it's so late in the game.
At that stage, I couldn't see us conceding.
I knew they were going to push, were going to threaten, and I knew we'd have to defend well. But I couldn't see us conceding so that would be the disappointment.
But I think overall a point is a good point.
Scott McKenna returned and you gave him the captain's armband. What did you make of his performance?
It was a tough game to come into particularly with what they've got up front and the firepower they have.
It was a tough decision because Loic Mbe Soh has done really well in training.
He is a fabulous young player, but probably I chose to go with that bit more experience.
He's trained well, maybe for not as long as we would have liked him to have trained.
But it was a tough game for both himself and Toby (Figueiredo) because they were tested.
But with Joe (Worrall) out, it was certainly good to see him back.
With Joe out will it be a big ask for Scott to play again on Wednesday?
That will be a decision that I will make. It will depend on what the medical department feels and how Scott feels himself.
But, certainly, with Joe being out, it's good to have Scott back and Loic is a terrific young player that we like too. But they're the sort of tough decisions you have to make.
What can you tell us about Joe Lolley's injury?
I don't know how bad it is, but it never looks good when somebody pulls up with a hamstring.
That's obviously what it is.
At this moment, it's difficult to say how long he will be out.
Obviously, it doesn't look good. But we'll assess him over the next couple of days. Hopefully, it's not as bad as we think.
It's frustrating as well because it looked like he was just getting going didn't it?
I thought he was good and that's what we want to see from Joe. That's his strength and that's the quality of his play. He drops the shoulder and goes past players.
He got himself into a really good position at that moment when he suffered the injury so it's really disappointing because he's had a bit of a stop-start season for Joe.
There are still plenty of games for him to get really into his rhythm. And, and I hope this doesn't knock him back too much.
What are your thoughts heading into the Norwich game?
It's another tough one.
So if we thought this one was tough, then Wednesday night, on paper, will be even tougher. But these are the games that you have to look forward to.
We will be tested. It's about character, bouncing back from that good recovery and really sort of looking forward to the game on Wednesday.
