Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Reading 1.
BoltonBolton Wanderers1ReadingReading1
Jamie Mackie scored a stoppage-time equaliser as FA Cup quarter-finalists Reading rescued a point at Bolton in the Championship.
Eidur Gudjohnsen looked set to inflict a fifth league loss in six on Reading but Mackie's low strike denied the hosts a second home win in four days.
Former Chelsea and Barcelona striker Gudjohnsen converted Adam Le Fondre's pull-back for the opener.
Both sides are 10 points clear of the drop zone.
Neil Lennon's Bolton were disrupted by first-half injuries to Zach Clough, Kevin McNaughton and David Wheater, but Reading were unable to improve a dismal record at the Macron Stadium that has seen them win just once in 13 visits.
The Trotters and Reading are 20 points adrift of the top six and, with space between them and the relegation zone, they look to be playing out the rest of the league season in relative comfort.
Reading, though, travel to Bradford in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the weekend, knowing they are just one win away from a Wembley semi-final.
With Bolton top scorer Clough off with a dislocated shoulder, it was down to his replacement Gudjohnsen to give the hosts the lead as he swept home after good approach play by Le Fondre.
And it looked like it would be enough until Mackie's low strike earned his side a point.
Bolton boss Neil Lennon: "We were excellent, but losing three players to injury is incredible. I don't think I have come across that before. It is another three who could be long term.
"But we were brilliant in the second half apart from conceding late on again. I don't know if it is lack of concentration or just bad luck but we didn't deserve that.
"It is not sour grapes but the refereeing performance was nothing short of appalling.
"We should have changed the referee. Someone from the crowd would have done a better job. They would have been able to keep up with the game better too."
Reading boss Steve Clarke: "There were two teams out there desperate to win. We shaded the first half, got into decent positions but couldn't find the finish to put us in front.
"I was disappointed with the goal we lost but after that we showed good character, determination and resilience to get something out of this game.
"This was the biggest game of the week. And the biggest game of next week will be Brighton at home.
"The league is your bread and butter; the cup competitions are little added bonuses. We have got to get more points in the league."
Line-ups
Bolton
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 13Amos
- 2McNaughtonSubstituted forVelaat 12'minutes
- 4Mills
- 31WheaterSubstituted forDerviteat 25'minutesBooked at 88mins
- 5Ream
- 47Janko
- 18Danns
- 29Bannan
- 7Feeney
- 40CloughSubstituted forGudjohnsenat 44'minutes
- 9Le Fondre
Substitutes
- 3Moxey
- 14Dervite
- 22Gudjohnsen
- 25Vela
- 32Eaves
- 34Fitzsimons
- 52Walker
Reading
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Federici
- 2Gunter
- 15Hector
- 5Pearce
- 11Obita
- 19Mackie
- 6NorwoodBooked at 64mins
- 14ChalobahSubstituted forWilliamsat 78'minutes
- 9Robson-KanuSubstituted forCoxat 69'minutes
- 12McClearySubstituted forBlackmanat 68'minutes
- 7PogrebnyakBooked at 79mins
Substitutes
- 3Kelly
- 10Cox
- 20Aiyegbeni
- 22Blackman
- 23Williams
- 31Andersen
- 35Cooper
- Referee:
- Mark Haywood
- Attendance:
- 12,795
Match Stats
Home TeamBoltonAway TeamReading
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away3
- Corners
- Home10
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Reading 1.
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Liam Feeney (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nick Blackman (Reading).
Goal!
Goal! Bolton Wanderers 1, Reading 1. Jamie Mackie (Reading) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Simon Cox.
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Corner, Bolton Wanderers. Conceded by Jordan Obita.
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Attempt saved. Barry Bannan (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Eidur Gudjohnsen.
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Attempt blocked. Adam Le Fondre (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Feeney.
Booking
Dorian Dervite (Bolton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Foul by Dorian Dervite (Bolton Wanderers).
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Jamie Mackie (Reading) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Liam Feeney (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Chris Gunter (Reading).
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Matt Mills (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Simon Cox (Reading).
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Attempt missed. Alex Pearce (Reading) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Pavel Pogrebnyak.
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Neil Danns (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Simon Cox (Reading).
Booking
Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Josh Vela (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
