READING FC ended a wretched run of four successive defeats with a gritty display at Loftus Road in the 'hoops derby'.

Deniss Rakels netted his second goal in three games to cancel out Grant Hall's opener for the home side.

Both goals came in the first half, but neither team could add to their tally after the break in a classic mid-table battle.

Brian McDermott made two changes to his starting line-up in a bid to arrest Royals' losing streak after defeats to Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Hull City.

Yann Kermorgant returned to lead the front line in place of Matej Vydra.

George Evans was also restored to midfield, with Michael Hector the man to miss out.

Rangers, with five changes to the team thrashed 4-0 by Brighton in midweek, included former Reading Town player Ben Gladwin in their starting line-up.

After a late change of referee that saw Keith Hill replaced by Stuart Attwell, the official who awarded Royals an infamous 'ghost goal' at Watford in 2008, it was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's men who threatened first.

The visitors failed to deal with a long throw into the box before Gladwin's thumping header forced the best out of Ali Al Habsi.

But McDermott's men hit straight back as Kermorgant headed into the side netting from Stephen Quinn's cross, then Rakels lofted the ball narrrowly over from a difficult angle after good work from Simon Cox and Kermorgant.

Cox also whistled an effort an inch wide of Matt Ingram's far post from a well-worked throw in, with Rangers' keeper looking worried.

The hosts responded on 23 minutes when Sebastian Polter tested Al Habsi.

But Reading quickly broke and a superb turn and pass from Rakels put Kermorgant in, but the Frenchman's chip missed the target.

As chances came thick and fast, Al Habsi made another vital save at full stretch to keep out Tjaronn Chery's free-kick that somehow found its way through the wall.

Suddenly, Royals were under pressure as Polter headed over from Alejandro Faurlin's centre then James Perch blast one wide from outside the area.

Neither side could take their chances and Reading wasted another on 31 minutes when Evans scuffed an effort wide from a decent position after neat build-up play from Cox and Rakels.

But four minutes later Rangers did break the deadlock with a goal from a set-piece.

Evans conceded a corner, Faurlin delivered to the back-post and Hall was given too much space to head home, despite the efforts of Norwood to hack the ball off the line.

But the lead lasted barely five minutes as Reading equalised with an excellent team goal.

Andrew Taylor's cross was expertly helped on by Kermorgant into the path of Rakels who swept home from 10 yards out for his third of the season.

Moments earlier Jake Cooper had also gone close with a header from Quinn's flag-kick - but Rangers failed to heed the warning.

In fact, the hosts were hanging on as half time approached as Royals pressed for a second.

However, Rakels volleyed over after Kermorgant had set him up, then McCleary's shot on the angle was well stopped by Ingram after Norwood had put his team-mate clean through on goal.

Reading kept the momentum after the restart and a trademark Norwood free-kick was expertly saved by Ingram.

Then from Norwood's corner, Cooper headed straight at the Rangers keeper when anywhere else would have done.

A rare Rangers attack soon after forced Al Habsi to block Polter's effort at his near post.

The Oman stopper saved his side again moment later by denying the same player after a dangerous attack.

Then Perch blazed over from the edge of the box after Faurlin's smart pass had opened up some space.

Reading weathered that spell and Cox went close to putting his side in front on the hour mark when his thumping drive took a deflection and flew just over Ingram's crossbar.

Yet they continued to struggle to defend set-pieces and were fortunate to escape when debutant Cole Kpekawa headed over from point-blank range from a Faurlin corner.

At that stage it appeared McDermott would settle for a point and an end to their losing streak.

His first substitutions were defensive ones as Hector and fit-again Chris Gunter replaced Quinn and Taylor.

But the chances were drying up. Norwood went for glory from a long-range free-kick only to miss the target with nine minutes remaining.

Chery was equally culpable when he skied an effort from 18 yards at the other end.

Reading went back down the field and Rakels was only a whisker away from connecting with McCleary's cross.

But McDermott's men got out of jail with two minutes remaining after Rangers blew a glorious chance to win it.

Cooper sliced his clearance straight into the air and Al Habsi was blinded by the sun as the ball entered the six yard box.

With Royals' keeper unsighted, it landed nicely for Polter who somehow missed the target with the goal at his mercy.

Reading are back at Madejski Stadium next Saturday when they host Preston (3pm).