Reading scored a late equaliser to ensure both Thames Valley Derby clashes end 1-1.

Not providing much attacking threat until late in the game, Mark Harris opened the scoring in the first half but the introduction of Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan proved vital and his cross led to a late own goal in front of the highest gate at the Kassam Stadium this season so far.

In a half of little quality, it was the hosts who came fastest out of the blocks and took early control in proceedings. Having said that, David Button was tested little in the first quarter. Targeting the Royals out wide, it proved a busy afternoon for Andy Yiadom and Jeriel Dorsett.

Reading offered next to nothing in the final third, failing to force Simon Eastwood into a save for the entire first 46 minutes. On 20 minutes, it looked like the visitors had clicked, with Lewis Wing winning possession in the defensive half before switching the ball out to Paul Mukairu. The winger progressed the ball to the edge of the U’s half before a neat piece of interplay with Wing gave the midfielder some space to curl an effort narrowly wide of the home goal.

This kickstarted a piece of pressure from the Royals, looking to stamp their authority on the game. Coming to nothing, it was a series of defensive errors that eventually saw the home side open the scoring after the half-hour mark. Mbengue charged out of the defensive line to win the ball but failed to do so and left Yiadom chasing Cameron Brannagan. Looking up, the captain cut the ball back into the box and Harris was jogging on the spot within two yards of the goal line to send the majority of the 10,000 crowd into raptures. Giving the hosts a boost, the lead could have been extended shortly before the break but Ruben Rodrigues could only fire his shot down the throat of Button.

In a reverse of the first half, Reading came out firing in the second half and looked to make up for lost time. Controlling possession for the most part, they were still unable to carve open an opportunity to beat Eastwood between the posts. 10 minutes into the half and it could have been game over when Dorsett was beat and a dinked cross was inches away from Harris’ forehead, only for Yiadom to clear off the line and away from danger.

Femi Azeez, who had a quiet afternoon in general, had the first real effort for the Royals but his shot whistled well wide of the goal after a good break from deep in their own half. Looking to be one of those games, Ruben Selles opted for a treble change with 20 minutes to go and it did not take long to pay dividends. Ehibhatiomhan picked up the ball out wide and drove into the penalty box, hoping for contact for a penalty. Continuing to push forward, his cross was eventually bundled over his own goal line by Brown to send the travelling 1400 fans into raptures.

Ending the game on top, Wing tested Eastwood from distance and a fizzed ball was nearly met by Smith in the box.

Oxford United were booed off by their supporters while the away supporters loudly chanted the theme to the ‘Great Escape.’ In a busy run of seven matches in three weeks, Stevenage host the Royals on Tuesday.