Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Reading: 10-man Owls hold on for a point against Royals
- Published
Liam Shaw's red card for Sheffield Wednesday was the first of his senior career
Reading moved up to fourth in the Championship as they came from behind to earn a draw against 10-man Sheffield Wednesday.
Callum Paterson headed the Owls ahead from Adam Reach's cross before they had Liam Shaw sent off for a reckless challenge on Omar Richards.
Lucas Joao headed home Ovie Ejaria's free-kick at the far post against his former club to level before the break.
Michael Olise came close to giving Reading all three points in the second half, but his powerful shot went narrowly over the bar.
The result helps Reading keep pace with the leaders at the top of the Championship, with the draw leaving them just a point behind top side Norwich, who lost at Luton.
Tony Pulis' Owls remain second from bottom of the table and have now drawn three consecutive Championship fixtures.
Reading's point means they extend their unbeaten run in midweek Championship fixtures to 10 games with their form turning around after a spell of four straight defeats in October and November.
Ejaria almost gave Reading all three points in the closing stages with a long-range strike but Wednesday keeper Joe Wildsmith was on hand to make a last-ditch save.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis told BBC Radio Sheffield:
"[On Liam Shaw's red card] I'm disappointed with the challenge, it's reckless. Whether he's played the ball or not, in the modern game today, you can't go in that strongly.
"It puts the referee under enormous pressure to make decisions. We looked to breakout not as well as I'd liked to have done but we did.
"Our goal was a real first class goal. The player gets sent off, they get a goal and it was poor marking from our point of view."
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic:
"Like ourselves, everyone needs to be accountable for their own actions and it's difficult to be objective when you are involved, but I thought two penalties were very possible.
"But we will use this disappointment and channel it into energy when we finally play in front of our fans again on Saturday. I don't want anything to affect that and we have got to bounce back again.
"On the one hand, I was proud of this performance because the team did everything we had to do in this kind of game. We had good possession and created opportunities.
"But, on the other hand, I am disappointed that we didn't get the result because we were the team who wanted to get most out of this game."