Gunnarsson rescues Royals

Bikey sees red as Reading battle back

Last updated: 25th November 2008

Gunnarsson rescues Royals

Gunnarsson: Second-half strike

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Ten-man Reading twice came from behind to earn a point at Cardiff to maintain their push towards Championship promotion.

Brynjar Gunnarsson's second-half strike earned a share of the spoils at Ninian Park as Steve Coppell's men overcame the sending off of Andre Bikey.

On-loan winger Wayne Routledge's first goal for the club surged Cardiff into an early lead before Kevin Doyle's 15th of the season levelled the scores six minutes later.

Bikey received a straight red card on the half-hour after an aerial challenge on striker Michael Chopra and things got worse for the visitors when the recalled Ross McCormack again put Cardiff ahead with a confident penalty before half-time.

However Gunnarsson converted Stephen Hunt's cross shortly after the break for his first of the season to hand Coppell's men a battling point.

Chance

It was the visitors who carved out the first chance when Kalifa Cisse fired wide from 18 yards out.

The home side responded immediately and took the lead when loan pair Michael Chopra and Routledge combined for the latter to tuck the ball smartly past Macus Hahnemann from six yards.

Against the run of play the Royals hit back when Doyle levelled with a simple strike from close range following a superb jinking run and cross from Jimmy Kebe.

Cardiff kept up their frenetic start and continued to take the game to Coppell's side, Jay Bothroyd forcing a superb save from Hahnemann with a fierce left-footed strike from distance.

Bikey was shown a straight red card by referee Peter Walton for a challenge on Chopra after half an hour

McCormack compounded Reading's misery shortly before half-time when he fired home from the spot to put Cardiff back in front after Hahnemann was adjudged to have brought down Chopra in the area.

However in the opening exchanges of the second half the visitors again drew level, Gunnarsson - brought on as a substitute to shore up the midfield in the aftermath of Bikey's red card - lashing home on the half-volley following Hunt's cross.

Chopra came close for the Bluebirds in the closing stages but his shot from inside the area was clawed away by a determined Hahnemann.