Reading 2-2 Newcastle United

Demba Ba twice brought Newcastle level against Reading during an action-packed second half at the Madejski Stadium.

The first 45 minutes were ultimately forgettable with the only chance of any note falling to Pavel Pogrebnyak when, on 29 minutes, his header was well tipped over by Steve Harper. Early on in the second half Steven Taylor was forced off for Newcastle through injury and his withdrawal for James Tavernier meant a defensive reshuffle that Reading took advantage of. The match sparked into life on 58 minutes when Jimmy Kebe cut inside a disorganised defence and hit a shot from the edge of the box that deceived Harper and went in. Newcastle hit straight back and only a minute later Chieck Tiote chipped a long ball towards Ba and the big striker hit it first time on the volley from just inside the area for a stunning equaliser. The goals didn't stop there as three minutes later, with 62 gone, Reading were back in front thanks to Noel Hunt. Jobi McAnuff got down the left hand side and his cross was met by an un-marked Hunt to restore the lead. But Newcastle came back level with 83 minutes on the clock through a controversial second from Ba. Substitute Shane Ferguson put in a cross that Ba met with his head, but Reading claimed it was with his hand and were left frustrated as the officials gave nothing. In added time Reading almost snatched it, but McAnuff's curling strike from 25 yards struck the post and came back out to ensure the game ended level.