Exeter earn a point in hard-fought contest

Jayden Wareham scores against former side in tight contest

Both sides came into the game looking for an upturn in form with the League One drop zone being too close for comfort  

Akeel Higgins was the one change for city as Josh Magennis was on international duty with Northern Ireland 

In the early stages Exeter were dominant however after a mistimed header from johnly yfeko towards Joe Whitworth in goal, Jack Marriott slotted home an easy finish from close range in the 5th minute giving city an uphill struggle from the get-go  

In the 11th minute Ilmari Niskanen capitalised on some sloppy defending from the royals which he squared across to Jayden Wareham who neatly put the ball past joe Pereira in the reading goal, gaining some redemption against his former club who he celebrated in front of 

After a hectic start the game, it became a tighter affair as the half progressed with both sides looking to calm the tempo 

In the 22nd minute Wareham came close again after a fizzing ball into the box from Higgins just missed his flying right boot 

A few minutes later Niskanen found Reece Cole from an overlapping run which was saved by the leg of Pereira 

Pierce sweeney skimmed the top of the bar in the 30th minute with a free header from a free kick as the Grecians continued their crusade on the reading goal 

HALF TIME: Exeter city 1-1 Reading 

Reading started the stronger side in the second half attacking towards their travelling supporters, soon after Jack Marriott missed a one on one from 10 yards out which he put over the bar 

A few moments later Johnly Yfeko smartly stopped Matt Ritchie from nodding it in from close range, gaining some redemption for his mistake earlier in the game 

Readings attacking onslaught continued as the half progressed and they were unlucky not to regain their lead through a Matty Jacob effort which he put over the bar 

In the 76th minute play was halted and both managers were consulted by the referee for discriminatory chanting delaying play for 2 minutes 

When play resumed Aitchison played a pass that just eluded Jayden Wareham who was clear on goal giving Exeter one of their first few chances of the half  

In the last moments of the game Exeter had a number of corners which amounted to nothing as both sides gave all 

A deserved point for city as they look ahead to a challenging trip up to Manchester as they face Stockport next Saturday in League One 

FULL TIME: EXETER CITY 1-1 READING 

Attendance: 7,361 (1,001 away)