Stevenage 1
Reading 1
League (League One)

Match report written by Neil Metcalfe, The Comet

Stevenage and Reading served up a League One treat as they battled to a 1-1 draw at the Lamex Stadium.

Dan Kemp had fired Boro into a first-half lead but the Royals grabbed a deserved share of the spoils when Harvey Knibbs knocked home an equaliser with seven minutes remaining.

This was much better though than of late from the home side who gave the impressive visitors plenty to think about.

They were helped by the return of three of their injured players, back far sooner than expected.

In came Carl Piergianni, Nathan Thompson and Dan Phillips, while there was also a start for Tyreece Simpson, making it four changes in total from the FA Cup game with Guiseley.

Jordan Roberts, Lewis Freestone, Aaron Pressley and Eli King were the four to come out.

The first half was a thoroughly enjoyable game of football with both sides wanting to go forward.

Both had different styles though and with Reading wanting to play out from the back, that played into Boro's high press.

Kemp, Harvey White and Nick Freeman were all pinching balls high up the pitch and while it never brought any clear-cut opportunities, it did pile the pressure on the Royals.

And it was Boro who took the lead on 29 minutes, and in superb style too.

Simpson did superbly well to win a free-kick and when that was delivered to the left side of the box, a nod down from Piergianni found Nick Freeman.

He shaped to shoot but instead clipped a cross to the back post which was swept home by Kemp.

A half-time switch and the introduction of Jeriel Doresett changed the momentum and put Reading on the front foot as they dominated possession.

Murphy Cooper had made one stop in the first half but was much more involved after the break to beat away efforts from Ben Elliott and Charlie Savage.

But he was helpless when a ball in from the byline found Knibbs in the middle, and from 10 yards he made sure of a point for Reading.

Stevenage did have chances, a four on two break not exploited and then Elliott List darted down the right but his cross into Jamie Reid was too close to keeper Joel Pereira.

And while the loss of three points was tough to take, they should be more than happy with one and with the improved performance.