DANNY Williams struck his second goal of the season to earn Reading  a 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers in the Hoops Derby.

The USA international scored with a sweetly-hit volley in the 21st minute after Pawel Wszolek had put the hosts in front seven minutes earlier.

Arguably, Royals boss Jaap Stam had the edge over fellow Dutchman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on the day but had to settle for a point from the Loftus Road clash.

Reading have now lost just once in 11 matches in all competitions, though today's draw means they have not won in three Championship fixtures following a defeat down the road at Brentford and home draw with Derby.

Stam made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with the Rams before the international break.

Republic of Ireland defender and Royals skipper Paul McShane pulled out through injury, with Joey van den Berg taking his place.

Tyler Blackett also got the nod ahead of Jordan Obita at left back after the ex-Manchester United youngster had served a three match suspension.

Meanwhile, Rangers boss Haselbaink made three changes to his starting line up including a return for James Perch.

Reading made a decent start of things without really testing Alex Smithies in the Rangers goal.

But some sloppy play from Stam's men saw them fall behind in the 14th minute.

The visitors coughed up possession in midfield allowing Olamide Shodipo to pick out Wszolek, who controlled the ball on his chest before sliding it past Ali Al Habsi.

Yet Reading struck back immediately and, after Garath McCleary's effort had ben saved by Smithies, they levelled only seven minutes later.

George Evans sent McCleary away and the winger's expert cross was met by Williams at the far post, the USA international volleying superbly past Smithies for his second goal of the season to silence the home fans.

Rangers probed again a couple of minutes later when Sebastian Polter's shot was held by Al Habsi.

Then it needed a crucial block from Blackett to deny Wszolek a second after Joel Lynch had slipped him in with 27 minutes gone.

Lynch headed wide five minutes later from Tjaron Chery's cross and Ariel Borysiuk's drive also missed the target with Reading hanging on.

Hasselbaink was forced to make a change 10 minutes before the break with Steven Caulker replacing injured defender Grant Hall.

But Royals almost got their noses in front as half time approached.

A well-worked, short-corner routine saw McCleary find Beerens inside the box, but the Dutchman could only drag his shot wide when he should have hit the target.

Rangers were just as guilty nine minutes after the interval when Polter, under pressure from Liam Moore, missed with a close-range header from Chery's flag-kick.

Royals stepped it up as the hour approached and John Swift went close with a dipping effort then Roy Bereens brought a decent save out of Smithies.

Suddenly, Rangers were under the cosh and they were relieved to see Smithies push McCleary's shot out of reach of Yann Kermorgant in front of a gaping net.

The Frenchman then had an effort blocked by Caulker and, after Royals had reworked it, the striker almost scored again by firing an inch wide of the far post.

But no matter how hard Reading tried, they failed to find a winner despite further efforts from Swift and Evans in the closing stages.

Reading return to Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night (8pm) when they host Aston Villa.