Reading 1-1 Hull City: Andy Carroll earns point for Royals

Reading's run of four successive Championship defeats came to an end when they secured an uninspiring 1-1 draw at home to Hull.

In a dour first half, the visitors went ahead in the 26th minute through a fine finish from Regan Slater.

But Reading levelled just before the break when veteran striker Andy Carroll capitalised on a loose ball in the area.

Hull dominated a second half devoid of much quality all round and Reading were just grateful to hold on for a point.

Reading had won only two of their past 12 league games, losing eight of them and slipping to 16th in the table.

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Hull had been in poor form, too. They had just one victory in their past seven outings and none in five on their travels.

It was the visitors who made the better start at the SCL Stadium, with home goalkeeper Joe Lumley called into action in the first minute.

Sloppy defending allowed Allahyar Sayyadmanesh time and space at the far post but Lumley made a fine sprawling stop to keep out his shot.

As Hull continued to dominate, Malcolm Ebiowei tried his luck from distance only to see his well-struck effort blocked on the edge of the area.

Reading gradually settled and began to exert pressure on the Hull defence.

A cross from the right from Andy Yiadom was met with a firm header from Lucas Joao but it was straight at keeper Karl Darlow.

A cross from the same flank, this time from Tom Holmes, also found Joao in the middle but another header was again gathered by Darlow.

Hull survived comfortably and then went ahead shortly before the half-hour mark.

Slater took advantage of an excellent defence-splitting pass from Adama Traore to beat Lumley with a precise angled drive.

Reading, roundly booed by their fans, tried to respond quickly but defender Naby Sarr nodded a Tom Ince corner weakly at Darlow.

However, one minute from the interval, the hosts were level.

Cesare Casadei nodded on another right-wing cross from Yiadom and Carroll, after the ball had bobbled in front of him, slammed home past Darlow for his seventh goal of the season.

Hull opened brightly in the second half, controlling much of the play, but they were unable to seriously test Lumley.

Sayyadmanesh did ambitiously let fly from 30 yards out but the effort was easily charged down.

Reading finally made headway going forward, winning a free-kick just outside the Hull box, although Casadei's subsequent attempt from the set-piece flew wildly over.

Hull showed more energy in trying to search for the winner towards the end but their efforts, like the game, eventually fizzled out.

The managers

Reading's Paul Ince:

Ince said: "It's important we understand we've had four tough games before this one. And against some top teams.

"You could see that, even after 65-70 minutes, the lads were out on their feet. They looked absolutely knackered.

"But I'm proud of them because they just kept going and that's all you can do at this stage of the season.

"It's more about stopping the rot after you've lost four matches on the bounce. It's nice to pick up a point again.

"If we'd lost, from a confidence point of view, then it's the worst thing in the world, especially going into an international break.

"To be honest, that's a point gained, of course it is. I thought we started a bit slowly but, when we conceded the first goal, that gave us a kick up the backside and we kind of got into gear.

"We caused a lot of trouble down their left and right but it was just that last little bit that was missing.

"We got our first goal at a great time, just before the break. That's always a good time to get a goal. It just lifted everybody.

"In the second half, it was a case of 'who is going to get the winning goal?' The next goal was always going to be the winner.

"There were a couple of skirmish moments but it was a point and, for me, that was a fair result."

Hull's Liam Rosenior:

"That was two points dropped, massively. I thought we dominated and controlled every aspect of the game.

"But we gave away a really cheap goal just before half-time.

"I'm really frustrated because the players are showing their development and their improvement.

"In terms of what I want in control and dominance, we had all of that in the game.

"We should have won by two or three goals but were not clinical enough.

"At the same time, you want the referee to do his job and see things that are crystal clear in terms of his decisions. I'm really frustrated about that. Let's leave it at that.

"We gifted Reading a goal and we have to cut that out.

"The players have been brilliant for me in my time here and there is a clear development in their play.

"But they have to believe in themselves a little bit more, especially when we get into the final third.

"Home or away, the mentality has to be - you go 1-0 up, you go for the second goal. I felt Reading were there for the taking."

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