Carroll comes in Andy as Royals’ dire run is ended

PAUL INCE said it’s getting “squeaky bum” time for Reading – and that Andy Carroll is setting the standards for his teammates to follow.

Carroll’s 44th-minute goal cancelled out Regan Taylor’s strike for Hull and Royals boss Ince insisted this was a point gained after a run of four defeats.

Ince’s side remain nine points clear of the drop zone but have the threat of a six-point deduction hanging over them. He said: “Andy is an example to us all. He hasn’t trained all week because he’s had a pulled muscle.

“He’s a great pro, he wants to do well, he trains his heart out and that’s what we need for the next eight games. We have to stick together.”

He added: “From a confidence point of view, if we had lost today then it’s the worst thing in the world with the international break coming up.

“So it would have been nice to win it but it was important not to lose it.

“The break couldn’t have come at a better time. The next eight games are going to be squeaky bum time.”

Taylor put Hull ahead with a cool finish after exchanging passes with Adam Traore.

But Carroll levelled just before the break after a mix up in the visitors’ defence.

Hull boss Liam Rosenior said: “It was two points dropped, massively. We dominated all parts of the game and should have won by two or three goals.”

READING: Lumley 6; Holmes 6, Sarr 6, Moore 6 (Dann (15) 8); Yiadom 7, Ince 7, Hendrick 6, Casadei 7 (Fornah (87) 6), Mcintyre 6 (Guinness-walker (40) 6); Joao 5 (Azeez (87) 6), Carroll 7 HULL: Darlow 6; Coyle 6, Jones 6, Mcloughlin 7, Greaves 6 (Elder (87) 6); Seri 7, Slater 7; Ebiowei 8, Traore 6 (Tufan (73) 6), Sayyadmanesh 6 (Pelkas (87) 6); Estupinan 6 (Longman (65) 6) STAR MAN: Scott Dann – Produced a number of crucial blocks in a rock-solid defensive display.

Gavin Ward 6