The predictable dull lifeless performance from the Royals we all expected after the recent run of results. We did not deserve the draw. The fans did not deserve to freeze their bollocks off to watch it. Reading were saved by a fortunate penalty with 15 minutes to go when it looked like we'd drop out of the FA Cup to third division Halifax, whose goal on the hour had separated the sides.

Reading were weak in defence, weak in midfield, and weak up front. We just can't work as a team and the management seem unable to resolve the problem. Reading performances continue to move in the wrong direction with little positive signs. It used to be just a team problem (just!) but now it's individuals too. Nearly every player out there seemed unable to work with any other player. We had a group of players who would be saviours - returning from injury to inject skill and passion in the team and move us forward. However, even Murty, Evers and Forster (our potential saviours) seemed strangely lacking against Halifax. Pardew has inherited an overpaid, unconfident, unhappy players and can't seem to do a thing with them.

It was a pretty even start to the match with both sides failing to make an immediate impact on the game. Halifax were content to keep Reading out in search of the draw to take it back to their place and Reading seemed clueless as to how to break Halifax down. As the game moved on Reading were having almost all the possession with Whitehead having large periods without even getting a sniff of the ball. Despite our apparant advantage we seemed completely confused as to what to do with the ball inside the last third of the pitch. Far too much hoofing the ball in the air with it bouncing all over the place off the head of almost every player. Nothing creative.

Gurney put over a couple of crosses that weren't directly to the keeper but were cleared with ease as we failed to push men into the box. When the cross was about right, the runs of Williams and Forster were so poorly timed (or was it the cross) that they were on the goalline before the ball was played. But the crosses were rare as everything centred in the middle of the pitch. No use of the wings and no use of pace to attack a team hoping we'd do exactly what we were doing. All very dull and nothing to warm us up.

Reading were clearly getting frustrated as half time approached. Our only shot of the half was an effort from Caskey from a free-kick that sailed over the bar. Parky, already on a yellow, was making up for the lack of team play by flying in all over the place. Skillful, no. Dedicated to the cause, yes. Unfortunately he picked up a red card on 40 minutes for a second bookable challenge. Perhaps he didn't deserve to go so soon, but it was only an amount of time before he was off.

Halifax sniffed victory with Reading down to ten men and could have taken the lead before the break. Their forward look a little too long to allow Whitehead to come out and prevent a goal. The ball was played to the left, well inside the box, where they should have scored, but the shot sailed over the bar to safety. A second attempt was fired just wide of Whitehead's left post as at half time Halifax started getting on top.

The second half was more of the same.

On the hour Haliaf took the lead. Simply enough text-book goal. From a corner the ball was played over from the left. The far post header was placed across the face of goal and into the near post corner of the net. A well executed goal, but quite frankly shite defending.

And at last some noise from the East Stand. But not positive. "You all get paid too much" and "You're not fit to wear the hoops" - sung by a large number of frustrated fans.

Hunter and Bernal got fed up of getting beaten every time and started pulling people everywhere. Hunter was lucky not to follow Parky with a second bookable off the pitch. At the other end Evers simply couldn't get past his man - every time.

Reading got lucky when the ball was headed down inside the Haliax area with 15 minutes on the clock. A Halifax defender stuck his arm in the way of the ball and Reading were awarded a penalty. Caskey came forward and drove the ball into the roof of the net to "earn" Reading a replay in 10 days time.