Mackie strikes late Royals levellerJamie Mackie scored a stoppage-time equaliser as FA Cup quarter-finalists Reading rescued a point from a 1-1 Sky Bet Championship draw at Bolton.Eidur Gudjohnsen looked to have inflicted more league misery on the Royals with his opener before Mackie struck with a low left-footed shot in the 92nd minute to add insult to injury for Wanderers, who lost three players - including top scorer Zach Clough - to injury before half-time.Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Gudjohnsen replaced Clough and then netted his fourth goal of his Wanderers comeback on the hour.And it looked likely to be Bolton's second home win in four daysInstead, the Royals' avoided a fifth league defeat in six to take a point and confidence boost before Saturday's trip to Bradford City.Even with Neil Lennon's side disrupted by the injuries to Clough, Kevin McNaughton and David Wheater, Reading struggled to improve a dismal record at the Macron Stadium that has seen them win just once in 13 visits.Bolton were already down to 10 men when they fashioned the game's first significant chance.McNaughton lasted only 11 minutes of his first start since October 25, treated and then carried off with a leg injury as Wanderers attacked through Saidy Janko.The cross from the on loan Manchester United youngster zipped across the area to Liam Feeney whose shot was saved at the second attempt by Adam Federici.Ex-Scottish international McNaughton, hurt in an innocuous looking clash with Jordan Obita, was replaced at right back by Josh Vela.Mackie flashed a low drive straight at Ben Amos before Wanderers suffered their second injury set-back.Wheater limped behind the goal line, clutching the bottom of his back and was immediately replaced by Frenchman, Dorian Dervite.Garath McCleary clattered an 18-yard effort into ex-Royals skipper, Matt Mills, as the visitors looked to maximise Wanderers' defensive travails.Mackie twisted and turned Tom Ream every which way to engineer a shooting opportunity only to blast his final effort high and wide.Old boys Mills and Adam Le Fondre came close to breaking the stalemate with Federici grateful to snaffle 'Alf's' stinging effort.But it was the prelude to Wanderers' third and most critical injury as six-goal Clough went down heavily under challenge from Nathaniel Chalobah.Mills was fortunate not to be booked for protesting in the face of referee Haywood as Clough lay prostrate on the turf
Eventually, the youngster was helped off with a suspected shoulder problem with Gudjohnsen taking his place.The only change at half-time was Mr Hayward's top, dispensing with his black shirt for a vivid green number to apparently avoid clashing with Reading's away kit.And the Royals distinguished themselves early in the second period as Mackie and Alex Pearce went close.But Wanderers were suitably riled by the opposition tactics to hit back in style
Janko was unlucky with one volley from Feeney's centre and caused consternation with a strong run down the Reading left.So, it was no surprise when the Trotters opened the score
Again Reading's left side defence was exposed and Le Fondre cut the ball back for unmarked Gudjohnsen to score.Pearce thought he had scored a 72nd-minute equaliser only for his goal-bound attempt to be cleared off the line by Barry Bannan
Man-of-the-match Bannan almost doubled the lead in the last minute after a lung busting run.And Wanderers suffered late agony for a fourth successive home game as Mackie scored in front of small band of jubilant Royals fans
Source : PA
Source: PA