Reading scored an equaliser in the final 10 minutes to draw 1-1 at Stevenage upon their return to League One action.

Falling behind in the first half to Dan Kemp's stylish finish, it took until the final stages for Harvey Knibbs- playing as a makeshift striker- to equalise from Chem Campbell's cross.

It was the first action in over 10 days for most of the players as Ruben Selles had rotated his squad for a pair of cup matches.

Shooting towards the 1,400 travelling supporters, it took nine minutes for Knibbs to see his first sight of goal as the makeshift forward. Getting on the end of a ball threaded through the defence, it looked like a shot on goal was on, but he opted to cut it across the face of goal and Camara was unable to beat the defender to the cross.

Seeing more of the ball and more in the way of half-chances, it took 20 minutes for the first strike on target as Elliott saw his effort from the edge of the box land in the arms of Murphy Cooper. The pendulum appeared to shift on 25 minutes and the hosts had the better of the chances.

 Amadou Mbengue was forced into a huge block from the edge of his own box and just three minutes later the Boro took the lead. A free kick was recycled and a deep cross from Nick Freeman, towards the back post, was stylishly tucked away by Kemp.

Once they had the lead, Alex Revell’s side battled hard, and Reading were unable to swing the momentum back in their favour. Savage should have equalised, prodding a shot wide of the post from inside the box, and Campbell had a powerful drive tipped away.

Reading, chasing the game, were improved after the break but still struggled to break down a resolute Stevenage side. Winning the ball high, Savage had a chance to side-foot from the edge of the box but saw his effort blocked at source. Elliott could only smash the top of the stand, and not the net, when he had a shot from 30 yards out and Jayden Wareham was unable to beat the defender to the header at the back post when a dangerous cross was floated in his direction.

Seemingly content to see out the one-goal win, Boro’s best chance came when Camara lost possession, and the hosts could attack in a four-versus-two situation. Thankfully, the Hertfordshire-based side made the wrong decision, and Bindon was on hand to block Tyreece Simpson’s shot wide of the goal.

Dropping deeper and deeper, the hosts decamped in their own half for the final 15 minutes and Reading were happy to accept the territory in their half. Eventually those travelling fans were rewarded with eight minutes remaining as Campbell’s hard-work and eventual cross was converted in the box by Knibbs.

Keen to keep up the pressure, Reading continued to push and nearly went ahead through substitute Wareham as he forced the keeper into a good save on the spin inside the box. Knibbs fired another attempt over the crossbar in stoppage time.

Forced to take a point back to Berkshire, the Royals host Newport County in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday before having more time off as international football takes centre stage.