Reading 1 (Lita 47)
Arsenal 1 (Wilshere 44)

The Royals were held 1-1 in a cracking game with Arsenal's reserves at Aldershot's Recreation Ground tonight.

Reading's experienced team were on top for the vast majority, and had numerous chances to win the game, including a last minute penalty from Shane Long that was brilliantly saved by Vito Mannone.

Brian McDermott's men made all the running in the first half, but went behind in injury time when winger Luke Wilshire profitted from a defensive mix-up between Adam Federici and skipper Ulises De La Cruz.

It only took a matter of moments for us to equalise after half time though, Leroy Lita smashing home emphatically at the near post after good work by Long.

Jem Karacan was then desperately close to making it 2-1, but Gunners sub Tom Cruise made a superb block to keep him out on the goalline.

Then in the 89th minute, we were awarded a somewhat generous penalty when Mannone was adjudged to have fouled Jimmy Kebe, even though he certainly got a touch on the ball.

But the Arsenal keeper more than made amends with a cracking save, and there was still time for him to pull off another brilliant stop in injury time as Lita unleashed another stinging effort.

It was a very entertaining game, and one that Reading dominated. They found Arsenal's keeper in great form, and were left to rue their missed opportunities in front of goal.

Full video highlights will be on Reading World on Friday.

Reading: Federici; Rosenior, Golbourne, Bennett, De La Cruz (c); Convey, Karacan, Bozanic, Kebe; Lita, Long
Subs: Andersen, Spence, Kelly, Cox, Hateley
Booked: Karacan (foul 59)

Arsenal: Mannone; Rodgers, Traore, Bartley, Nordtveit (c); Eastmond (Freeman 81), Thomas, Ogogo, Wilshere (Cruise 71); Barazite, Fonte (Murphy 71)
Subs: Szczesny, Ayling
Booked: Ogogo (foul 90)

First half
Reading started brightly, and with six minutes on the clock, Jem Karacan did very well to win possession on the edge of the Arsenal box. It ran for Shane Long, but his snapshot was deflected off target.

Alan Bennett got on the end of the resulting corner, and it was cleared off the line by a Gunners defender.

It was Long who had the next effort, and he shot off target after Jimmy Kebe showed good feet to find Leroy Lita, who in turn moved it on to strike partner Long.

Arsenal had their first good chance on 13, and a nice flowing move saw Abumere Ogogo head over from around eight yards with the goal gaping.

Soon after, Nacer Barazite put one over the bar after getting on the end of a misplaced Alan Bennett pass.

It was a lively game, with Reading on top but a young Arsenal side more than playing a part.

Lita had a sight of goal on 15, getting on the end of a quick free kick but being denied by a good save from Vito Mannone, who was out sharply.

Our keeper Adam Federici then created a good chance for Long with a brilliant ball over the top, but the Irishman dragged just wide after cutting inside.

Reading were pressing hard for a goal, and Kebe got in down the right but his low pass for Lita was just cut out. On 35 Lita had half a shout for penalty as he battled inside the box but nothing was given.

With half time drawing closer, Oliver Bozanic showed good endeavour to get in down the left, and hit the outside of the post with an effort at goal.

Bennett played a nice pass to get Lita in for another sight of goal, but Mannone was out well.

After being well on top throughout the first half, we gifted Arsenal a goal in injury time.

Neither Federici nor skipper Ulises De La Cruz really took charge as a ball rolled back towards our box, and the indecision allowed Rui Fonte to nip in.

He passed infield to Barazite, who in turn laid it across for Jack Wilshere, the winger finishing simply into an unguarded net for an easy goal.

The half time scoreline was harsh on Reading, who had made the vast majority of the running but without being able to finish from a number of chances.

Second half
It only took two minutes of the second half for the Royals to get back on level terms though.

Long did very well to chase down a defender in the left back position and won the ball cleanly. He smacked in a low cross for Lita, who took a cracking touch, turned on a sixpence and lashed home high into the net.

Reading continued to be the better side, but the possession wasn't quite matched by chances.

Just before the hour, Karacan got into a decent position, but put one over on the half-volley from 20 yards.

Karacan then had an even better chance on 71, bursting through midfield, rounding the keeper and shooting for goal, only to be denied by a great block from sub Tom Cruise as he threw himself at it.

Karacan had done everything right, and his cracking performance deserved a goal, but Cruise blocked brilliantly.

From the corner, Long was inches away with a header that flashed just wide as Mannone failed to claim.

Arsenal had a late flurry, and Federici couldn't quite hold Barazite's effort but it was hacked away.

In the final stages Reading were throwing the kitchen sink at their opponents, and Long shot straight at the keeper after cutting inside on Kebe's nice pass.

Then with less than two minutes of normal time to go, we had a golden opportunity when awarded a penalty.

Kebe danced into the box, and went around keeper Mannone. Referee Mr Farries pointed to the spot even though Mannone clearly got a touch on the ball.

Long stepped up, but Mannone pulled off a cracking save down to his right to earn his team a point.

Four minutes of injury time were signalled, and with two of them gone, Mannone pulled off another stunning stop to deny Lita's cracking effort.

It was a very good game to watch, and Reading were just left to rue those missed chances in front of goal, although Arsenal's keeper really was on top form throughout.

Full video highlights will be on Reading World on Friday.