Reading 2-2 Stoke City: Mo Barrow scores in stoppage time to earn point for hosts
- Published
Benik Afobe had failed to score in his previous 10 matches
Mo Barrow scored in stoppage time to give struggling Reading a point against Stoke City.
A wonderful volley from Tom Ince looked set to give the visitors a second successive win before Barrow's first goal of the season earned a vital point for Paul Clement's side.
The Potters should have taken an early lead but first Benik Afobe headed Joe Allen's cross wide and then Sam Clucas fired over a rebound after Ince had seen a shot saved.
Marc McNulty made them pay for their lack of cutting edge when he headed home from an Andy Rinomhota centre just before the break.
Afobe made amends for his earlier miss with a cool finish to level for the visitors before Ince's sensational strike put them in front, only for Barrow to steal a draw at the end.
The point stopped the Royals from slipping back into the Championship relegation zone, though they remain out of it on goal difference only.
Stoke are now unbeaten in seven matches, but four draws in that run means they are seven points outside the play-off places.
Gary Rowett's side host bottom side Ipswich, managed by former Potters boss Paul Lambert, next Saturday, while the Royals host promotion-chasing Sheffield United.
Stoke City manager Gary Rowett:
"At times, our game management is not as good as we'd like it to be. To concede goals late in each half, when we had opportunities not to concede those goals, was disappointing.
"We've had seven or eight really top opportunities but, after going 2-1 up, we should really see the game out.
"We should've been going away with all three points. It's almost criminal that we aren't."
Reading manager Paul Clement:
"To score that late, I thought it might have got away from us. I'm glad the players didn't think that. That's the most important thing.
"We finished the game strongly and, over the last two games, the players have not been downing tools.
"If we can string together some good performances, the results will come. I'm convinced of that."
