Nottingham Forest 1 Reading 1: Lee Tomlin scores Forest’s first goal in nearly 500 minutes to rescue point against the Royals
Aitor Karanka's men end their barren run and score for the first time at the City Ground since December 9
LEE TOMLIN ended the City Ground goal drought to clinch a point for Forest with just five minutes remaining.
Aitor Karanka’s men had not scored at home in the Championship for more than two months.
And despite laying siege to the Royals goal, it looked like that frustrating run would continue.
But then key man Tomlin picked the ideal moment to notch his first goal for Forest and stop the rot as they ended a run of five home defeats.
Joe Lolley set up the on-loan Cardiff forward, who was one of a string of deadline-day signings made by Karanka.
And the influential Tomlin gleefully converted with a goal that had been coming all evening.
But dominant Forest ended the night wondering how they had not won.
Reading were heading for a crucial three points to ease the pressure on boss Jaap Stam.
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Defender Omar Richards, 20, grabbed his first senior goal to put the Royals ahead after 35 minutes.
The full-back powered the ball home after keeper Costel Pantilimon had pushed out a Chris Gunter shot.
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But the Royals goal led a charmed life at times.
Defender Tendayi Darikwa was out of luck twice in the space of a minute after the break when he crashed a shot against the woodwork and then saw his close-range effort cleared off the line by Reading scorer Richards.
But Stam’s men should have taken the lead after only two minutes through on-loan Derby striker Chris Martin, who was making his first start since moving from Pride Park.
Gunter’s cross left Forest standing but Martin fluffed it.
Forest had a goal ruled out for offside when Ben Brereton found the net — but Tomlin came to the rescue late on.
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