Nottingham Forest 1-1 Reading: Yakou Meite rescues point for Royals
- Published
Yakou Meite has had three different spells out through injury this season
Yakou Meite marked his return from injury with a late equaliser as Reading held Nottingham Forest in the Championship.
Forest looked set for victory when Sammy Ameobi showed good strength on the right before playing in a low cross which was turned into his own net by Tom Holmes with Glenn Murray lurking.
But fifth-placed Reading - who had won their previous three matches - levelled through substitute Meite, who had been out for eight games with a thigh injury.
He ran on to Lucas Joao's through ball before smashing home a shot which seemed to squirm past Brice Samba from 20 yards.
Reading fully deserved the point - at the very least - and went close to a winner with Holmes heading wide and Michael Olise shooting over in injury time.
They had the best chance of the first half as Joao's scuffed effort hit the post, and the striker was also guilty of a weak shot after a fine solo run.
Joe Lolley, who went off injured soon afterwards, had an opportunity for Forest but curled wide.
After having a hand in the opening goal, Ameobi almost doubled Forest's lead but his curling effort was tipped away by Reading keeper Rafael Cabral.
And he was made to pay for that miss by Meite's successful return to the team.
Forest's shirts had no sponsor name after Football Index entered administration and had its gambling licences suspended.
'It feels as though we lost' - reaction
Reading manager Veljko Paunovic: "I am not happy about ending our run of three clean sheets. That is something we will have to look at, the manner in which we conceded the goal.
"But we reacted well to that; we created so many opportunities. We could have won the game.
"The equaliser came very late. We spent so much energy trying to get the equaliser. But even after that, we had pressure. But we were not clinical and that was the key.
"I am happy with the attitude, with our identity and character. But I am not happy with the draw. I cannot help it, but it feels as though we lost the game."
Nottingham Forest manager Chris Hughton: "I think we are happy with a point in the end. We had a period where I felt we were going to hold on for the win. They made offensive changes and they have very good players.
"The question is whether we can go on and win these games - and that is the next part for us. There was some naivety at the end when our game management could have been better.
"But we were up against a strong team. They showed why they are pushing and why they have been in the top six all season.
"The main feeling is that we are happy with a point."