Premier League: Reading 2 Newcastle 2

A controversial late goal from Demba Ba saw Newcastle salvage a 2-2 draw at Reading in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Chances were few and far between in the first half at Madejski Stadium, but the clash came to life after the break.

The second half had threatened to be as dull as the first for a short period, but Reading got themselves in front through Jimmy Kebe, only for Ba to provide an instant reply.

However, two minutes later Noel Hunt thought he had won it for the hosts, only for the Senegal international to grab a dubious second five minutes from time.

Papiss Cisse and Pavel Pogrebnyak had threatened earlier on but it took until the half-hour for Reading to conjure up the first real chance.

Jobi McAnuff lifted a cross to the back post where Pogrebnyak rose above Steven Taylor to powerfully head the ball at goal, but Steve Harper tipped the effort over.

Towards the end of the half, Reading began to look more dangerous and James Perch was forced into a goal-saving tackle to deny Pogrebnyak.

The encounter came to life on the hour-mark as Kebe put Reading ahead with a scuffed effort from inside the area that sent Harper the wrong way.

However, before the fans could finish their celebrations, Ba smashed home a magnificent first-time volley after a long ball from midfield.

The hosts replied in the best possible way – with another goal just two minutes later.

McAnuff yet again was the man to provide the assist as he crossed for Hunt, who glanced a header past Harper.

With just over five minutes left, Newcastle snatched an equaliser, somewhat controversially, when it seemed Reading would see the game out.

Shane Ferguson delivered from the left for Ba to finish, but the final touch came off the striker’s hand as Newcastle snatched a point.