With interim Head Coach Gary Caldwell in attendance but yet to take charge, Newcastle U23s had to settle for a point from their season opener on Monday.

The game was played behind closed doors at Whitley Park although crowds were permitted at other fixtures played in the same league the same day.

United included a trio of players who were given pitch time for the senior side during pre-season in the shape of Joe White, Tom Allan and Matty Bondswell. Max Thompson and Oisin McEntee meanwhile sat on the bench for the first team last month without being called upon.

Seeking a fourth successive victory on Tyneside, Reading were second best in the first 45 minutes - fashioning only a series of unproductive corner kicks.

And it was from one of them that the hosts went ahead in the 25th minute, mounting a rapid counter-attack that ended in Dylan Stephenson netting with a low shot from Rodrigo Vilca's forward pass.

The Royals raised their game significantly after the break as United began to lose their way and were ultimately punished when a disputed penalty was awarded against them following Remi Savage's foul on Claudio Osorio.

The kick was delayed by two separate flare-ups that saw referee Martin Woods waving cards around - United's Tom Allan dismissed for a second yellow.

Visiting striker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan equalised by blasting his spot kick into the middle of the goal and Reading looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage in the remaining 14 minutes of normal time.

There was to be no further scoring though in a game that became increasingly fractious in the closing stages with several further skirmishes.

Biffa