READING FC defender Teddy Howe admitted a draw was a fair result in the wake of Royal’s 1-1 tie with Cardiff City in the FA Cup.

In a game marred with controversy following alleged racist and homophobic chants from a small number of Bluebirds supporters, Mark Bowen’s side were forced to settle for a replay at Cardiff City Stadium.

Thames Valley Police have since confirmed that four arrests were made following the chants which were reported by matchday staff. All four were released under investigation.

Reading fell behind to a Callum Paterson header following a shaky start but quickly got themselves level through Yakou Meite.

Both sides had chances to go ahead but Royals faced a late onslaught after Tom McIntyre’s second booking saw them go down to 10 men.

Sol Bamba registered an early contender for miss of the decade right at the death but Reading dug deep to thwart Neil Harris’ side.

And Howe, son of club Chief Executive Nigel, said: “We had a few chances but we ended the game with 10 men so 1-1 is a fair result for us.

“It’s great for me and some of the young players in the team to show the manager what we can do and it gives us a chance to push for first-team places.”

Reading showed resilience after falling behind and Charlie Adam’s clever ball over the Cardiff defence allowed Meite to take a touch and slot the ball beyond Alex Smithies.

The Ivorian forward dedicated his goal to his father, who sadly passed away recently.

Howe continued: “He’s had a hard week but he’s such a great player and such a great person.

“All the lads are behind him, we are such a brotherhood. We all want to be behind each other, especially in the hard times.

“All we can do is be there for him. It was brilliant to see him score and we have to carry on pushing him and keeping his head up.”

Royals had their hearts in their mouths when skipper Matt Miazga went down injured in the second half.

He was stretchered off of the pitch to a standing ovation but it is understood his injury is not as bad as first feared.

But Reading then found themselves down to 10 men after McIntyre gave the ball away and lunged in for a challenge, his second bookable offence of the afternoon.

The boyhood fan and ex-Maiden Erlegh School pupil will not be available for selection against Bristol City on Tuesday, but Howe his fellow academy graduate put in a strong performance against the Bluebirds.

He added: “Tom’s brilliant, I’ve played with him since I was nine. He’s a great player, he took a risk but in football you have to take risks.

“He will come back fighting again.”

Responding to alleged racist and homophobic chants from some visiting supporters, Howe concluded: “I don’t know why it’s in the game. I don’t understand it.

“It makes me angry but there’s nothing I can do apart from stand up for everyone else and show that I’m against it.”