Reading 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Brighton and Hove Albion dropped two points at the Madejski Stadium as their nearest pursuers closed to within two points this afternoon (Saturday 31 October).
Oliver Norwood had the first real chance of the match but his free-kick was well saved by David Stockdale.
Sam Baldock and Tomer Hemed both had chances to put Albion in front in the first half. Liam Rosenior, deputising for the injured Gatean Bong at left back, was instrumental in Albion’s attacking play.
Albion took the lead on 50 minutes with Hemed crossing for Jamie Murphy who slid home his second goal of the season from close range.
The Seagulls could have doubled their lead a few minutes later as ex-Albion loanee Ali Al-Habsi had to scramble back to his goal to clear a back pass from Michael Hector.
Reading equalised when Matej Vydra pounced after Stockdale could only parry a Danny Williams shot. Vydra converted the rebound.
Towards the end Reading had a few chances to score but Albion held on.
On Tuesday (3 November) Albion travel to Hillsborough to play Sheffield Wednesday who moved up to eighth place after beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 today.
