Fixture - Reading vs Newcastle

Match report

Demba Ba won a point for Newcastle United against Reading with an equaliser just six minutes from time at the Madejski Stadium.

Reading seemed on course for their first Barclays Premier League win of the season after goals from Jimmy Kebe and Noel Hunt in the space of four second-half minutes. Ba had equalised in between the two Reading strikes with a magnificent volley but his contribution was not over as steered a cross past helpless Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

Reading threw everything they had Newcastle in vain search of the winner but Jason Roberts was denied by an excellent save from Steve Harper before Jobi McAnuff hit a post. In the end the Royals had to settle for a point.

Alan Pardew, who used to manager Reading, gave a first league start to Gael Bigirimana alongside Cheik Tiote in the centre of midfield, with Vurnon Anita dropped to the bench. Bigirimana looked at home in the centre of midfield, dovetailing with Tiote as Newcastle controlled the middle of the park.

But Reading grew into the game and had the best chance of the first half when Pavel Pogrebnyak's header, after a patient build-up, was palmed over by Steve Harper.

It took 24 minutes for the first shot on goal, which fell to the left-back Nicky Shorey and his volley went out for a throw-in. Pogrebnyak then found himself a yard of space in the Newcastle box but the ball bounced awkwardly and he shinned it over the bar.

Reading worked the ball wide for McAnuff, who curled an inviting cross in for Pogrebnyak to meet above Taylor at the far post but Harper launched himself well to tip his header over the bar.

Pogrebnyak continued to cause problems after the restart, getting the better of Taylor to break into the box but Michael Williamson cleared. Papiss Cisse's low shot was blocked by Kaspars Gorkss - and suddenly the game awoke from its slumbers with three goals in four minutes.

Kebe put Reading ahead. The Mali striker was played in by McAnuff and ran at Perch, before scuffing a low shot inside the near post.

Newcastle hit back within seconds with Tiote the creator, clipping the ball towards Ba who met it with spectacular volley on the run.

With barely a chance to draw breath, McAnuff then worked his way to the byline and whipped in a cross that Hunt met with a precise, glancing header to beat Harper at his far post. But the Reading crowd were stunned again as Ba stooped to meet Ferguson's cross and guided it into the net.

Reading upped the ante and Roberts, on as substitute, forced another top save from Harper with a strike from distance and McAnuff saw a shot rebound back off the post.