Reading 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Jamie Murphy's goal was his second of the season for Brighton

Championship leaders Brighton extended their unbeaten run despite Matej Vydra denying them victory at Reading.

Chris Hughton's side were outplayed for much of the first half, with Oliver Norwood's 25-yard free-kick forcing a fine save from David Stockdale.

But a slick move soon after the re-start saw Jamie Murphy tuck the ball home from Tomer Hemed's pass.

Vydra wasted one chance for the Royals, but atoned after Stockdale failed to hold an effort from Nick Blackman.

Brighton went into the game four points clear despite just two victories from their six previous league games, and had only won once at Reading in their 10 previous visits.

Following a bright start by the Seagulls at the Madejski Stadium, it was Reading who gained the upper hand before Hemed finally tested home keeper Ali Al-Habsi with a header following a corner.

Blackman was the liveliest attacker for the Royals, but they were caught out early in the second half as a neat one-two with Sam Baldock gave Hemed space to thread the ball across and Murphy finished from close range.

It could have been two as Michael Hector's backpass wrong-footed Al-Habsi, who had to scurry back towards his own line to hack away.

Reading pressed for an equaliser and Vydra, who had earlier opted to pass rather than shoot when a clear chance came his way, netted his first goal since arriving on loan from Watford as the ball fell to him from Stockdale's error.

The impressive Blackman could have won it as the match moved into stoppage time, but was just off target following a weaving run.

Vydra's goal was his first this season - after scoring 16 for Watford last term

Reading boss Steve Clarke: "After being 1-0 down and going into the last 15 minutes, it becomes a decent point against a very good team.

"We showed great character to get back into it. That's a big positive for us and we take that into the next game.

"That was a big goal for Matej. All strikers want to score and I'm sure he'll score many more for us."

Brighton manager Chris Hughton: "We've no points target. I've just said to the players we've played 14 games now and, in every one of those, there's not been what you would regard as a comfortable game.

"We've had to fight and scrap for all the points that we've got. That's the league and at least we're competitive in every game.

"On the balance of play today, I think it was a fair result. It was an entertaining game and maybe, from our point of view, it was a bit too entertaining at times."