Reading FC 2-2 Plymouth Argyle: FLW reports as Royals and Pilgrims share spoils | OneFootball

A big game in the League One play-off race as Reading hosted Plymouth Argyle.

Reading FC were twice pegged back by Plymouth Argyle at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the play-off rivals drawing 2-2, and both failing to make up ground on the top six.

Two goals in the opening six minutes of the game set the tone for what would prove to be a thrilling affair. Reading took the lead after three minutes via a Randell Williams stunner, before Argyle swiftly hit back when Alex Mitchell turned in a Ronan Curtis corner.

It took Leam Richardson' side just over 10 minutes to regain the lead though. Lewis Wing's corner was thumped home by the head of Paudie O'Connor, after Luca Ashby-Hammond rushed off his line and failed to win the 50/50.

In the second half, the contest was a lot closer, but Argyle were able to get back on level terms again. Caleb Watts captialised on a scramble in the box which Reading failed to clear.

Both sides had chances to find the winning fifth goal, but neither could. The game ended 2-2, with the play-off chasing duo left on the cusp of the top six positions after sharing the spoils.

Reading FC 2-2 Plymouth Argyle

The Royals got off to the perfect start, as it took them just three minutes to open the scoring. Argyle were caught on the break, and Randell Williams curled in a stunning effort from the right flank.

The visitors wasted no time getting back into the contest and found themselves level three minutes later. A pinpoint corner from Curtis was bundled home by Mitchell, sending the 3,000-strong Green Army into raptures.

Straight down the other end, Plymouth skipper Joe Edwards was on hand to deny his opposite number, Ryan Nyambe, from making it 2-1 straight away by clearing his looping effort off the line, which maintained the hectic nature of the opening 10 minutes.

Just before the 20-minute mark, Reading restored their lead. Another corner led to a goal, as O'Connor headed home Wing's cross, after Ashby-Hammond was caught in no-mans land.

Five minutes later, another set piece almost yielded a goal. Argyle's Herbie Kane floated in an inviting free-kick, which was volleyed over by Mathias Ross at the far post.

Ashby-Hammond had to come up with two strong saves to stop the hosts extending their advantage. The Argyle stand-in keeper got down low to deny Kamari Doyle then Randell Williams.

After four minutes of stoppage time, referee Seb Stockbridge brought what was a hugely entertaining first half to a close. Both teams had created plenty of chances, but it was Reading who had just edged the contest, and deservedly led at the break.

The Royals continued to look dangerous on the counter in the second half. A quick break from an Argyle free-kick saw Paddy Lane flash a low ball across the face of goal, which narrowly evaded the reach of Randell Williams.

The end-to-end nature of the first half had vanished in the opening 20 minutes of the second, with Reading good value for their lead, and comfortably answering any questions their opponents asked of them.

That was until a scramble in the box wasn't properly dealt with by the home side, which allowed Watts to poke home from six yards out to level the scoring once again, and set up a grandstand finish to a tense game.

With 15 minutes to go, Reading once again hit Argyle on the break. Randell Williams darted down the right flank and cut back to Doyle inside the box, but his shot was excellently parried by Ashby-Hammond, before Lane smashed the follow-up wide.

Despite chances at both ends in the closing minutes of the match, neither side could find that all-important winning goal, meaning they both had to settle for a point as the play-off race heated up.

Reading sat eighth, just a point outside the top six, but know a win would've seen them break into the play-off places. As for Plymouth, they remained in tenth place, two points further back.

Reading FC player ratings

Plymouth Argyle player ratings

L. Ashby-Hammond - 6

J. MacKenzie - 5 (X. Amaechi 77'(5))

M. Ross - 6

A. Mitchell - 7

J. Edwards - 6

R. Curtis - 6

M. Boateng - 6

H. Kane - 5 (B. Wiredu 85'(5))

O. Dale - 5

C. Watts - 6 (J. Paterson 77'(5))

A. Pepple - 5

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Match attendance

There were 16,277 fans present at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon, including a sold-out away end of 2,897 travelling Argyle supporters.