READING’S Stephen Kelly grabbed a late equaliser, as the Royals drew 1-1 at home to visiting Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day.

The defender headed home a Royston Drenthe free-kick four minutes into injury time.

Forest had looked set to take all three points from the Madejski Stadium, thanks to Greg Halford goal after 36 minutes.

Halford and sub Matt Derbyshire should have doubled the advantage after the break.

Reading’s Alex Pearce then had a header cleared off the line by Derbyshire, before Kelly made sure of the draw.

The result leaves the Royals one point outside the Championship play-offs.

Reading manager Nigel Adkins said: “We’ve stopped that losing trend. We left it late, but it’s better late than never.”

This weekend, Reading take a break from the league with a tricky third round FA Cup tie at Championship rivals Brighton.