READING......................................................................... 2 Reading draw puts writing on the wall

SUNDERLAND slipped back to the foot of the Championship as they blew yet another chance to put pressure on their relegation rivals.

The Black Cats came from behind to lead 2-1 against Reading at the Madejski Stadium thanks to second-half goals from Paddy McNair and Lee Cattermole.

But the Royals, who had taken the lead against the run of play from the penalty spot through Liam Kelly in the first half after a blunder by Lee Camp, levelled 10 minutes from time through sub Yann Kermorgant.

And with Burton Albion – who had been propping up the division – winning against Derby County, that meant the Brewers leapfrogged Sunderland.

With Barnsley and Bolton drawing, and Birmingham not playing until tomorrow, the gap between themselves and safety remains six points.

However, with only three games left, and nine points to play for, this result did nothing to improve Sunderland’s already slim survival chances.

Fit-again McNair’s inclusion at the expense of Ovie Ejaria was one of four changes Chris Coleman made to the side that started the midweek draw against Norwich City, with the other three forced upon him by injuries to John O’Shea, Adam Matthews, and Lynden Gooch.

Marc Wilson took the place of O’Shea, with Bryan Oviedo and Callum McManaman replacing Matthews and Gooch.

Reading boss Paul Clement made one change to the side that began their defeat at Fulham.

John Swift came into the side in place of Leandro Bacuna, who was suspended after being sent off at Craven Cottage.

Sunderland had the better of the first half and could have gone in at the break two or three goals up, but instead they trailed to Kelly’s 20th minute spot-kick.

Reading had barely threatened up to that point, but when Camp spilled a tame shot from Sone Aluko and then brought down Bodvarsson as the Icelander latched on to the loose ball, referee Steve Martin awarded the penalty and Kelly sent his kick beyond the keeper into the bottom left-hand corner.

A couple of minutes later, Camp parried from a long-distance effort from Kelly.

But aside from those opportunities, it was Sunderland who were the more threatening side.

McManaman sent a shot wide from the edge of the box after being teed up Paddy McNair celebrates after his equaliser gave Sunderland a lifeline in their game against Reading yesterday by George Honeyman inside the first 15 minutes.

And then midway through the first half, Ashley Fletcher steered a low shot wide of Mannone only to see the ball come back off the right-hand post, and when McManaman drove the rebound goalwards, Liam Moore made a brilliant headed goal-line clearance.

Just before the half-hour, Fletcher and Cattermole saw shots blocked in quick succession before the ball broke for Aiden McGeady but his effort lacked power and Mannone saved on the line.

Sunderland had a strong penalty appeal turned down on the half-hour when McManaman cut into the box from the right and surged between Omar Richards and Dave Edwards with the latter sending him sprawling, but this time Mr Martin was unimpressed.

And the lively McManaman had another opportunity shortly before half-time, turning his man inside the area only to then send his shot over the bar.

But Sunderland did get the equaliser they deserved within two minutes of the start of the second half. McNair won the ball just inside the Reading half and strode forwards before unleashing a thunderbolt from 35 yards which flew past the motionless Mannone into the right side of the net.

Cattermole sent a header over the bar from a McGeady on the hour, and a couple of minutes later, at the other end, Aluko put a good chance over the bar after being played in by Swift.

The Black Cats took the lead on 66 minutes as McGeady swung in a freekick from the right and Cattermole met