Starting line-up
Davis - 7: Relatively quiet afternoon for Kelvin until the goal finally drew Reading out of their shell. A touch late coming for the second ball on the goal, but made a fine save late on to preserve the draw.
James - 7: Has improved considerably as a defender, making two vital interceptions inside the box. Timed his tackles much better than of late against the tricky Hunt and still found time to make a nuisance of himself going forward.
Perry - 7: Used all of his experience to make a series of wonderfully timed tackles, in particular against the lively Kebe. His timing in the air allowed him to compete against the taller Doyle well, but who was organising that back line on their goal with Saints far too deep?
Cork - 6: Somewhat wasted at centreback, he nevertheless does a competent job there and is ideally suited for bringing the ball out of defence. Competed well to snuff out several dangerous balls into the box.
Skacel - 5: Solid, if unspectacular, display from Rudi who played his part in a much improved defence with some good positional play and tidy challenges. Unable to show his talents going forward with Holmes looking tired after his long break through injury.
Gillett - 6: Tigerish display helped Saints to compete well in central midfield and restrict Reading to long balls. His simple, efficient passing helped set the tempo, even if it wasn't much of a threat going forward.
Gobern - 7: It's a lot to ask of a 17-year-old to play in central midfield, but he proved up to the task with a hugely encouraging display. There's something of Carlton Palmer about his sometimes clumsy play, but this belies surprising skill on the ball and an impressive range of passing, coupled with strength in the tackle and in the air that has been missing from Saints midfield. Looks much more convincing in central midfield than out wide.
Holmes - 5: Two games in three days was too much to ask of a player coming back from a long term injury and he was below his best, drifting in and out of the game, despite showing some neat skill on the ball and good delivery into the box.
Smith - 5: Hampered by having to cut back onto his left foot the whole time by playing on the right, he was lively, if ultimately ineffective. Although he was sometimes muscled out of it, he saw plenty of the ball in the first half, but by cutting back his crosses were from too far infield and too deep.
McGoldrick - 8, Man of the Match: Credit where credit is due, McGoldrick has been given a very hard time of late due to his lack of goals and perceived inconsistent effort. After a lacklustre start, a shot against the crossbar proved the catalyst for a much improved display, with McGoldrick a constant threat to the Reading backline. With Paterson the target man freeing up space for him, he was back to his marrauding best with some impressive runs and retention of the ball. His goal was a special moment with the player clearly affected by the cheers that greeted his substitution against Forest and pointing to the skies in celebration, shirt off. Let's hope he can push on from here, as he certainly showed that it matters to him.
Paterson - 6: Played the Emile Heskey role doing much of the donkey work for his colleagues without ever looking like scoring. Had a hard time against the bulk of Duberry, but his efforts freed up space to allow McGoldrick to play to his strengths. Needs to improve his movement in the box to get onto the end of chances, as he's not quite ready to lead the line on a consistent basis.
Substitutions
Wright-Phillips - 5: Showed good ball retention on the left, getting involved in some neat short passing moves to open up space, but rarely got into the danger area. Why was he playing on the left with the left footed Holmes on the right? Doesn't do nearly enough tracking back as a winger and would be much better suited to play as a second striker.
McClaggon - 7: Had to do a double-take to check it wasn't Nathan Dyer coming on given the player's similar size and style. He was combative from the off getting stuck into Hunt who tried to unsettle him with some verbals and shoving when he came on. Rubbed Hunt's face right in it with when another impressive direct run at pace ended in a peach of a pass for McGoldrick's opener. Could he really be Dyer with the end product?
Euell - 5: Brought on with Paterson tiring to add some aerial presence, he worked hard but was equally ineffective in terms of creating or getting on the end of chances. Not convincing as a striker now he is coming to the end of his career.