Reading started solid and looked dangerous when going forward with Forster and Owusu but Walsall also looked threatening when they got near the Royals goal with former Royal, Simon Osborn at the fore front of most of there moves.  Though it was not long before Walsall managed to take the lead. It came from a corner which was floated into the box and was met by Walsall's number nine, Jorge Leitao. Hahnemann again looked out of position although he seemed to be deliberately blocked but Leitao managed to steal in with a free header which need to be worked on in training. 'Here we go again' thought the majority of the travelling Royals but Reading responded and looked to reply quickly through Owusu and then a disallowed goal through Scott Murray who came on for the injured Andy Hughes. Reading went in at half a goal down but some positives to take out of it and something to build on for the second half.

Half Time: Walsall 1:0 Reading

Reading came out in the second half with no changes but dominated majorities of the half. The Royals took control from the second half whistle. We had a number of corners and free kicks but were unable to come up with the magic touch to stick the ball in to Jimmy Walker's net. Finally the goal came and it was well worth waiting for, a darting run from Scott Murray down the line and then cutting in and being fouled on the edge of the box bought a free kick on the edge of Walsall's box.  Nicky Shorey, James Harper and Steve Brown were over the ball and it looked like the ball would be hit by Brown but it was a superb shot over the wall and into the net by Shorey with the Walsall goalkeeper having no chance. Reading had the advantage with them and the Reading fans were certainly getting behind the team with over 1000+ making the journey up to the Midlands and gathered behind the small covered stand. 

Reading had a number of good chances to win the game, a cross by Murty went over Walker's head but was cleared off the line and then Forster had a goal disallowed for apparent offside but it looked very dubious and Steve Coppell's thoughts after the game certainly backed the opinion of the Royals fans. 

Although we had to settle for a point it meant the losing steak was over and the fans could be proud of the performance especially in the second half.

Full Time: Walsall 1:1 Reading

Man Of The Match: Shorey because of the equaliser but all Reading players played there part.

Ref Watch: Both Ref and Assistants were very poor and could could have cost Reading all three points.