Reading 1-1 Luton Town: Hatters hopes dented as 10-man Royals earn point
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Carlton Morris' 19th goal of the season extended Luton's unbeaten run to 11 matches
Reading remain in the Championship bottom three but held on for a precious point with 10 men against a Luton side who saw their faint automatic promotion hopes all but ended but confirmed a play-off spot.
Andy Carroll found space to power in a near-post header from Tyrese Fornah's inswinging corner as the Royals hit the front early in the second half.
Moments later the former England striker momentarily looked to have doubled the lead, but was instead shown a second yellow card for handling a corner into the net.
Luton's pressure was rewarded late on when Elijah Adebayo's header looped up into the air and Carlton Morris flung himself at the ball to force it over the line.
The draw extended Luton's unbeaten league run to 11 matches but leaves them seven points behind second-placed Sheffield United, who will secure promotion to the Premier League if they beat West Brom next Wednesday.
The Hatters' slim hopes of automatic promotion will be ended before then if they lose at home to fourth-placed Middlesbrough on Monday.
Reading remain in 22nd place, a point adrift of QPR and Huddersfield and two behind Cardiff with three games to play.
The hosts flew out of the blocks and could have led when Femi Azeez's dangerous low cross found Carroll, who blazed over from the edge of the six-yard box.
But a buoyant Luton soon took command and dominated much of the first half, with Alfie Doughty drilling a free-kick against the base of the left post and Cauley Woodrow's close-range effort denied by a superb point-blank block from Naby Sarr.
Reading had failed to build on their early bright spell, but cashed in after the break, Carroll heading in with only their second attempt on target.
But the former England striker's night took a different turn moments later as he was sent off - for a second booking - while wheeling away to celebrate a goal swiftly ruled out for handball.
The Hatters battered away in search of an equaliser but, despite a triple attacking change from Rob Edwards, Reading held out until Morris pounced in the final 10 minutes.
Managerless Reading next face a trip to play-off chasing Coventry before decisive-looking fixtures with fellow strugglers Wigan and Huddersfield.
Reading interim manager Noel Hunt told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"Coming out for the second half we started really well again, we were positive, we looked forward and from good play we get a good corner and Andy gets a great header.
"We are in control of the game, then two minutes later the ball goes in, it hits his hand, it's not intentional. If you look at it he goes with his head, it hits his hand and goes in so the referee has got to use common sense. Then it's about staying in the game.
"I think the (Luton) goal from our end was a bit unfortunate, Joe comes and punches it, they get lucky with the deflection into the air and we concede.
"We were at home, we wanted to win the game, I thought we deserved to when we had our spells, but it's a good point."
Luton boss Rob Edwards told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I think it's a great night for the football club. We're guaranteed a play-off spot with three games to go.
"Of course we wanted to win the game and we're still going to keep our foot down and try to win every game but we've got to celebrate this tonight.
"In the first half we were really good, dominant, loads of control and I thought, similar to Saturday, we were building up and the goal was coming. We created some really big chances but unfortunately couldn't score before half-time.
"The sending-off probably got the crowd going a little bit more and engaged and gave them something to hang on to, so it was going to be really difficult to break them down and full credit to the lads for finding a way."