Half time: Royals 0 Magpies 0 

60 mins Tshibola shot 0-1

79 mins Gosling header 1-1

Full time: Royals 1 Magpies 1

An encouraging display from Newcastle's second string behind closed doors at Reading's scenic training ground on Monday saw them return with a point - although their overall dominance really should have resulted in a victory. 

The Hogwood Park pitch looked a little lumpy but there seemed little reason for the morning inspection that had been staged, with no obvious moisture or standing water evident. The approaches to the two open temporary grandstands though were well saturated, confirming significant recent rainfall in this part of Berkshire. 

Clad in their maroon change strip, United gained the initiative in the opening quarter, with their best effort a long range effort from Adam Campbell just wide. The lively Magpies striker then missed the target from closer range on 26 minutes, screwing his shot wide after Alex Gilliead had robbed the Royals 'keeper on the edge of his own box and laid the ball across for Campbell.

United reached the break not having made the most of their superiority but were grateful to 'keeper Jonathan Mitchell for turning a 44th minute shot from Gozie Ugwu around the post.

Midfielder Yven Moyo failed to appear for the second half after a tentative return to action following a three month layoff, making way for Academy winger Rolando Aarons, who came off the bench at the same juncture to score in our last reserve away game against Crystal Palace.

Against the run of play though, Reading went ahead on the hour mark when Mitchell's poor ball out was picked up just outside the box and Nicholas Arnold's cross from the right was routinely finished by Aaron Tshibola.

Chasing down lost causes all afternoon, Adam Campbell then came close to an equaliser on three occasions, seeing one shot blocked, mis-controlling on the edge of the box after getting ahead of his marker and then jinking forward before firing narrowly wide of the target.

United's thoroughly deserved equaliser came in the 79th minute when a deep cross from the right by James Tavernier was met with a glancing header by captain Dan Gosling from 12 yards.

Late pressure from the visitors with substitute Jonathyn Quinn to the fore failed to produce any further clear-cut opportunities, with Reading also looking to complete a win double, but a couple of corners were well defended.

With virtually no added time to play, the game ended honours even - a third successive draw extending our unbeaten run to four matches.

90 minute runouts for both Gael Bigirimana and Dan Gosling look to have been beneficial, while there were eye-catching contributions from both Tavernier and Remie Streete, plus Curtis Good at left back - the latter looking more confident and aggressive following his loan stint at Bradford.   

Biffa

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