Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Reading
- Published
Darren Pratley headed home Bolton's second, but Wanderers were pegged back by Reading's second-half fightback
Late goals from Liam Moore and Leandro Bacuna earned Reading a point after fighting back from 2-0 down at Bolton.
The home side looked to be heading out of the relegation zone after early headed goals from Reece Burke and Darren Pratley.
But Moore pulled one back with 14 minutes remaining, bundling home at the far post from Modou Barrow's cross.
Bacuna earned Reading a point, scoring from the spot in the 83rd minute after Barrow had been fouled in the box.
Burke headed the home side ahead after 18 minutes, connecting with Pratley's flick-on from Josh Vela's free-kick from the right.
Pratley then provided a headed finish of his own, rising unmarked to meet Vela's corner and Bolton looked to be heading out of the bottom three.
But they were denied by Reading's late show, first Barrow escaping down the right and his low cross met by defender Moore.
Sammy Ameobi was then guilty of clipping Barrow in the box, and Bacuna stepped up to earn the Royals a point.
Bolton manager Phil Parkinson:
"I thought we were excellent in the first half and large periods of the second.
"Giving the penalty away was that moment of lack of concentration which cost us. But having said that we could have nicked it at the end.
"So, it is hugely disappointing we weren't able to see the game through. However, the team is vastly improved from where we were at the start of the season."
Reading boss Jaap Stam:
"We need to defend those set pieces better. We knew Bolton had that quality. They succeeded and we needed to get back in the game.
"We created opportunities. Even in the first half, we should have scored but we couldn't hit the target
"At half time we spoke about what we needed to do and we succeeded. We wanted to go for the third one as well but we needed to be a bit more patient."