Reading extend unbeaten run after uninspiring draw with Stevenage

League One play-off chasers Reading stuttered to an uninspiring 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage but still extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

The visitors enjoyed marginally the better of a poor first-half spectacle but the Royals went in front four minutes after the interval through an own goal by defender Carl Piergianni.

Yet the Boro skipper soon atoned for his error with an equaliser 11 minutes later, also from a header.

Reading had enjoyed a 2-0 win over automatic promotion chasers Wrexham on Tuesday night.

Neither side impressed in a scrappy opening but Brandon Hanlan wasted a good opportunity for Stevenage, racing through on his own, only to slice his attempt woefully wide.

Stevenage’s top scorer Dan Kemp could have notched his 11th goal of the season from a deep Jordan Roberts cross, but his firm volley was superbly saved by Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira.

Reading’s attacking threat in the first half had proved non-existent but they gratefully accepted Piergianni’s gift in the 49th minute, when he inexplicably nodded home at the near post from a Charlie Savage corner.

Centre-back Piergianni made amends on the hour, meeting a fine cross from Kemp with a header that crept in past a scrambling Pereira.

Jordan Roberts almost won it for Boro but his fierce 20-yard drive flashed just wide.