Royals hold on for a point

Midfielder Brynjar Gunnarson was shown a straight red card after 28 minutes for a dangerous two-footed lunge on Hayden Mullins.

West Ham took the lead with a strike from Nolberto Solano just before half-time but they could not shake off the Royals, and Dave Kitson scored the equaliser after turning onto a neat through-ball from Nicky Shorey to beat Robert Green.

West Ham threw everything forward in the closing minutes and Dean Ashton saw his header hit the post but they could not break down a resilient Reading defence.

In stark contrast to recent games at Upton Park, where West Ham have struggled to break their opponents down, it was a bright encounter full of chances for both sides.

West Ham took the lead three minutes before the interval after Solano pounced to beat Convey's challenge with a delicate touch before lifting the ball over Hahnemman.

West Ham had carved the opening well as Parker linked with full-back Neill on a diagonal run across the box. Although Carlton Cole lost his footing after receiving the lay-off, the ball fell to Solano and two deft touches later it was in the back of the net.

But Reading continued to stretch West Ham and their enterprise paid off just before the hour when Kitson turned onto a through-ball from Shorey and fired past Green to draw the Royals level.

Upson's clearing header fell to Shorey outside the West Ham box and the England full-back worked space cleverly before lifting his pass through to Kitson.

As the clock ticked down Parker wasted a golden chance after working space inside the box when his weak shot was easily held by Hahnemann.