Shrewsbury Town came to town scrapping for points to climb out of the bottom four, so this fixture was never likely to provide great entertainment. Statistics rarely tell the whole story, but on this occasion the passing accuracy of both sides reflected the nature of the game. With Town playing a long ball game, only just over a half their passes (56% compared to 73% by Reading) reached the intended destination. It was hardly surprising their second half equalising goal came from a speculative 'route one' punt which Reading were unable to clear.

In spite of having more of the ball Reading struggled to create any clear chances in the early stages of a game as Shrewsbury's more direct tactics tested the Reading defence with a series of long throw-ins and corners. In fact, they should have taken the lead following a corner after seventeen minutes when Chem Campbell carelessly tugged Biggins as he made his run in it the box. Campbell received a yellow card for his trouble. Thankfully Pereira produced a double save from Marquis getting smartly to his left to stop the spot kick and recover to block the attempt from the rebound.

Given a lift by Pereira's save, Reading were more positive going forward and took the lead ten minutes later. Wing slung over a high cross beyond the far post. Ehibhatiomhan retrieved the loose ball, before going past the full back and finding Wareham unmarked to confidently swept home from close range with his apparently weaker left foot.

Six minutes into the second half, Taylor Perry picked up a yellow card from referee Abigail Byrne, for protesting too loudly, and too often, about her decisions. He deserved a card for his antics in the first half, throwing himself to he ground whenever a Reading player went near him, and having a tantrum when he was not awarded a free kick. He was the subject of mocking chants by the Reading fans but had the last laugh five minutes later when he struck a very equaliser. Town goalkeeper Blackman launched a long ball up the middle and Reading made the unforgivable mistake of allowing the ball to bounce. Bindon's weak header dropped to Benning who nodded the ball forward and Perry rifled the past Pereira inside the far post from an acute angle.

The remainder of the game was as scrappy as most of the first half. Reading squandered some promising opportunities with poorly time and weighted final balls into the box. Campbell and Craig let the ball run out of play due to lack of concentration, Knibbs never really got into the game, and Garcia began making poor decisions in the ball. Oliver missed a sitter from a cross heading wide from close range. Campbell cut inside and hit a shot which Blackman couldn't hold and Wareham nearly scrambled the ball over the line but Knibbs got in his way. It was that sort of night.

Neither side were played well enough to take all three points and although Reading will look at the table and fee they should have won, but Shrewsbury had just beaten Mansfield at home, Rotherham away and Wrexham at home in January. They may not be easy on the eye but under Gareth Ainsworth they have become difficult to beat.

One encouraging aspect of this game was the performance of Wareham who put in another solid performance up front. He worked hard and produced some moments of quality. Apart from taking his chance well, he demonstrated what an intelligent player he can be when he held the ball up when he noticed Campbell stray offside when he was shaping to play him in and turned and switched the play to retain possession. Reading will miss Smith, but Wareham has a lot to offer as his replacement.

John Wells