Reading 1-1 Hull City: Andy Carroll goal earns Royals a point

Andy Carroll (right) has scored seven goals for Reading this season

Reading made the most of what little luck they had against Hull City to take a point at the Select Car Leading Stadium.

The hosts lost Liam Moore and Tom McIntyre to injury either side of Regan Slater opening the scoring for Hull.

Former England striker Andy Carroll's goal just before half-time got Reading back in the game but neither side could find a winner in the second half.

Both sides appear to have little to play for this season, with the Royals nine points above the relegation zone and Hull two points ahead of them.

Hull, who looked encouraged by their midweek performance against leaders Burnley despite defeat, made much of the early running, with Malcolm Ebiowei and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh having drives blocked in the opening 10 minutes.

Reading's response was a drive and pass from Lucas Joao which saw Carroll and Cesare Casadei having their shots blocked. Joao then had a header from Andy Yiadom saved by Joe Lumley.

The Royals were forced into an early change when Moore went off after just 15 minutes with a hamstring problem, being replaced by Scott Dann.

The hosts were then forced to make a second change five minutes before the interval when McIntyre was replaced by Nesta Guinness-Walker.

Reading were already behind when McIntyre came off, as Slater pounced on an inch-perfect through ball from Adama Traore and finished crisply past Lumley.

But their luck changed a minute before the break when Casadei's header came back off two defenders and fell to ex-Liverpool and Newcastle man Carroll, who buried the ball into the corner of the net to send the sides in level.

Reading's revival continued at the start of the second half with plenty of possession, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Hull had an opportunity on the hour mark when skipper Lewie Coyle overlapped and sent in a dangerous cross, only for Dann to clear Reading's lines.

Ebiowei also had a chance for the visitors but he hit his shot over the bar after getting clear of three Royals defenders.

The goalkeepers were rarely troubled in the remainder of the game as Reading's four-game losing run came to an end.

Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"It's not about playing pretty football at the moment, it's about getting points. We conceded a goal - sloppy play by us to concede at the near post. But the response was fantastic - especially down the right side - we caused a lot of problems.

"And we got he goal at the right time. At half-time we said 'listen guys, we've just got to keep getting through it - it's going to be tough second half'.

"The players are absolutely knackered, especially after the four tough games we've had against the top four. And it looked that way in the last five minutes."

Hull City head coach Liam Rosenior talking to BBC Radio Humberside:

"We should win the game - we should be out of sight. We had complete dominance and control in the game, but for some naive play on our part to give them a helping hand on their goal and let them back in the game.

"Anyone in the stadium could see who the better team was and who deserved to win the game but it isn't about that, it's about taking your chances and being clinical.

"I'm really happy with the group and I know in the long term we're going to be a success."