SWIFT TREBLE PEGGED BACK BY LAST GASP QPR LEVELLER
JOHN Swift’s hat-trick wasn’t enough to give Reading victory as Stefan Johansen snatched a point for QPR with a stoppage time equaliser on Saturday.
The Royals thought they had done enough to deliver QPR their first Championship defeat of the season but had to settle for a point in an entertaining spectacle at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
QPR went ahead, but Swift netted to equalise before half-time.
Swift then added two more in the second-half, before Andre Gray replied instantly to put QPR back in the contest.
But with the game headed for stoppage time, Rangers found a sixth and final goal of the afternoon as
Johansen smashed a shot in on the rebound.
There was a superb atmosphere in the Select Car Leasing Stadium prior to kick-off with the Rangers fans travelling in their numbers to pack out the away end.
Chris Willock swung a free-kick into the back post and QPR were first to the ball to head back across the box and Dominc Ball was on hand to find the net as his shot deflected off Michael Morrison and found its way in.
In the 35th minute, Reading’s main main got them on the scoresheet and back on terms as Swift bagged his fourth Championship goal of the season.
Reading took the lead in the 64th minute as Swift bagged his second of the game and fifth of the season.
The Royals extended their lead in the 76th minute as Swift completed his hattrick as he got on the end of a cross from Liam Moore and dispatched the ball neatly into the corner.
But QPR hit back with an instant response as Andre Gray latched onto the end of a cross.
The frantic action continued as Reading swung a cross into the box to find the head of Pușcaș who made contact but agonisingly headed inches wide.
With the match headed into the final minutes, QPR snatched a point as Stefan Johansen fired in a shot on the rebound.
Rafael made a stunning save from close range to keep out an effort but Johansen was on hand to meet the follow up and fire the ball into the net as the points were shared in a disappointing collapse for Reading.