It is a measure of how far Reading have improved this season that everyone felt disappointed with only gaining a point from this game. Leeds, considered to be one of the clubs likely to win promotion, and in good form in recent weeks, can count themselves very lucky to get anything out of this game. It took an unbelievable lapse by the usually reliable Ingimarssson to provide United with a way back into a game they never looked capable of winning. Two points may have been thrown away but the performance underlined Reading's status as leading contenders for automatic promotion.

After a cagey opening, the game burst into life on four minutes when Little volleyed narrowly wide from a deep Shorey cross. Doyle missed great chance to open the scoring a minute later when he failed to connect with a superb low cross from Murty. Leeds hit back with a well struck free kick which Hahnemann held well. A minute later Gunnarsson leant back and ballooned a decent chance over the bar from just inside the box. Reading were quicker to the ball and passing the ball around impressively. The game settled down, as a well organised Leeds defence went about heir business efficiently, if not always fairly. Reading also had to defend but did so with equal determination and energy.

The game simmered for nearly half an hour until reading raised their game again and gave Leeds some anxious moments before half time. Leeds were increasingly resorting illegal challenges and long balls to relieve the pressure, which Sonko was dealing comfortably. Having heard so much about the threat of Hulse, I was pleased to see his performance did not match his publicity.

Reading continued to dominate in the second half and the deserved goal came from Gunnarsson who turned and stroked the ball inside the post following a corner. Reading looked set to add to their lead. Kitson and Convey had good opportunities with headers which narrowly missed the target. Healy came on for Blake and almost immediately created a great chance for Douglas to waste. Ingimarsson's lunge was ill-timed and helped to create the situation. That should have been a warning. Leeds still did not look likely to get back into the game until Ingimarsson decided to set up Healey with a bizarre pass across his own area to Healy. He compounded his error by running across Hahnemann's line of vision and deflecting a fairly feeble shot past his own 'keeper.

The injustice of the incident stunned the crowd and stung Reading back into action. Sidwell, on for Gunnarsson, almost scored with a downward header which Kelly managed to sit on before Sullival scrambled over to gather. Then with additional time running out, Doyle persistent to the end, robbed the lumbering Butler and whipped in a low cross which Kitson met with a well timed run only to be denied by the alert Sullivan.

I can understand why everyone felt downhearted at the end, but the result should not detract from what was fine team performance. This team oozes confidence at the moment and eighteen games unbeaten says it all. I sincerely hope Ingimarsson doesn't receive too much stick - he's probably feeling bad enough as it is at the moment.
John Wells