Reading 2-2 Huddersfield Town

Ola John's late strike was his first goal for Reading since signing on loan from Benfica in September

Reading were twice forced to come from behind to claim a draw at home against Huddersfield Town.

The Terriers led twice in the first half with Jamie Paterson's early goal and Nahki Wells' impressive finish.

Their strikes came either side of Oliver Norwood's free-kick for the hosts against his former club.

Mark Hudson missed an easy close-range chance to put Huddersfield out of reach before Reading substitute Ola John equalised late on.

The Royals missed the opportunity to return to the Championship's top six and are without a win in four games.

Huddersfield, who had lost their previous two games, led after just 64 seconds when Paterson slotted home after he and Wells exchanged passes to beat the offside trap.

Paterson almost doubled the lead inside five minutes after a driving run into the area from Harry Bunn, but Ali Al-Habsi palmed his shot behind.

Reading were fortunate to be level when Norwood caught Jed Steer out at his near post with a free-kick that the goalkeeper may have been anticipating as a cross.

Bunn was again the provider for Huddersfield's second, sending Wells through one-on-one and the former Bradford striker rifled a shot into the roof of the net.

Nick Blackman struck a post for Reading early in the second half, while Anton Ferdinand denied Wells a headed second goal with a well-timed aerial challenge on the edge of the six-yard box.

Al-Habsi almost presented Huddersfield with a gift of a third goal as he dropped a high ball at the feet of captain Hudson, but the centre-back was unable to keep the ball under the bar from just six yards out.

Netherlands international John eventually made the visitors pay for that missed chance, cutting inside from the left wing and firing in the equaliser with six minutes remaining.

Reading manager Steve Clarke: "I think you have to look at it as two points dropped at home. We shot ourselves in the foot in the first couple of minutes and made it difficult against what I thought was a good Huddersfield side, who were well organised.

"Having got back into the game at 1-1, we should then take control, but we didn't. We gave them the second goal shortly after and from there it was a difficult night and a struggle just to get back to 2-2.

"It's a game that last year we would have definitely lost. How important a point that turns out to be, we'll find out come May."

Huddersfield manager Chris Powell: "I feel a bit frustrated and disappointed that we couldn't hold out, but I'm sure when I wake up tomorrow I'll recognise it's a good point against a very good Reading side.

"We couldn't hold out. We had a side and a squad that were down to 18 really and had two players making their first league starts who did ever so well.

"Reading had a lot of possession and after having such a very good start, we were pegged back in the second half. Our defensive qualities came out and it's just a shame we couldn't hold on for the three points."