Barnsley 1-1 Reading: Late Reading goal keeps them five points clear of drop zone

Reading are five points clear of the drop zone with seven games left

Reading grabbed a late equaliser to prevent relegation rivals Barnsley from claiming a vital win in the Championship.

Carlton Morris drilled the ball into the corner early on to put the Tykes on course to move closer to Paul Ince's side, who stay one place and five points above them in the table.

Josh Laurent fired home from Michael Morrison's pass to give the Royals what could be a crucial point.

Reading also missed chances to win it in a nervy finish to the game at Oakwell.

The Royals created the first clear opportunity when Ovie Ejaria picked up a loose ball and drove a shot in from a tight angle, which Barnsley goalkeeper Brad Collins got down smartly to save.

But the Tykes found the breakthrough moments later when Morris placed a low shot across goal after being fed the ball by Amine Bassi.

Reading nearly found the perfect reply when a bouncing ball worked its way to midfielder John Swift, only for their top scorer to blaze over from 12 yards.

Barnsley conceded late goals after leading 1-0 in home games against Fulham and Stoke last month and tension mounted in the second half, with defender Callum Brittain booked for time wasting with more than 20 minutes left to play.

Morrison came within inches of equalising when the defender attacked a deep cross, before Tom Ince put the ball in the net, only for the offside flag to be raised.

But Laurent finally took one of their chances by slamming the ball home after an intricate move involving Swift and Morrison.

Reading could have snatched all three points, had Lucas Joao's effort on the turn not been blocked and Swift's curling shot pushed around the post.

Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"It's going to be a battle. We started really well, then all of a sudden they had one shot on target and you find yourselves 1-0 down.

"We knew they were going to go long into Morris. We were ready for it, but it is hard to defend.

"For people like Barnsley, they want it scrappy, it's all about set-pieces. You have got to earn the right to play and I thought second half, we did that.

"We showed our character. We showed the desire to get back into the game."

Barnsley manager Poya Asbaghi told BBC Radio Sheffield:

"The second half doesn't frustrate me that much because we have to understand that Reading were as desperate as us to win the game.

"Fighting for survival, with the offensive players they have being 1-0 down, of course they are going to have the ball sometimes.

"It's about being good at defending, not giving them chances and when we get the ball, trying to find the free spaces.

"For me to be really happy with the performance, we should have done more when we had the ball."