Substitute Ola John rescued Reading with a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 home draw with Huddersfield Town at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The visitors went into the lead after two minutes as Nottingham Forest loanee Jamie Paterson scored his second goal of the season with a calm finish after being put through by Nahki Wells.
Paterson had a chance to score a second two minutes later, but Reading keeper Ali Al-Habsi was on hand to stop the 23-year-old's attempt.
Jordan Obita came close to levelling the game as he fired just wide, but the Royals managed to equalise just two minutes later when former Huddersfield midfielder Oliver Norwood drilled a shot beyond Jed Steer.
The game stayed level for just over 10 minutes, however, with a pass from Huddersfield's Harry Bunn allowing Wells to get through on goal and finish with a powerful strike to hand the Terriers a half-time lead.
Reading started the second period positively as Nick Blackman watched his shot pushed onto the post by Steer before substitute Orlando Sa fired over with the rebound.
The Royals continued to press for an equaliser, with Espanyol loanee Alex Fernandez skimming the bar with a 25-yard shot after being teed up by Norwood.
Steve Clarke's side eventually got their reward with five minutes remaining in the game, as one-cap Netherlands international John came on to fire the ball beyond Steer and rescue a point.
The result leaves Reading in seventh, one point away from a playoff place, while Huddersfield are now five points clear of the Championship relegation zone.
Miles Jolliffe
