A brace from Lloyd Owusu earned Steve Coppell's Reading a well-deserved point against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The on-loan Sheffield Wednesday hitman headed the Royals in front after 14 minutes, but two strikes in the space of 11 minutes gave the Eagles a 2-1 half-time lead.
However, Owusu made it all square 11 minutes into the second half.
With both sides looking for a top-six spot, the draw was not ideal for either team but at the end no one deserved to lose a match that was a credit to the first division.
Before the start, Coppell was given a rapturous reception from the home fans but 14 minutes into the match the cheers came from the 1,465-strong travelling contingent.
A James Harper corner was driven into the goalmouth at a good height and Owusu was right there with a thumping header that flew past Cedric Berthelin in the Palace goal.
Then came a torrential downpour which caused the ball to skid awkwardly, but Palace brightened up when the sun suddenly showed and Dougie Freedman responded with a 15-yard shot after referee Graham Poll played the advantage when Andy Johnson was bundled over on the edge of the box.
That goal came on 33 minutes and 11 minutes later Johnson was on target again with his 25th goal of the season.
Danny Granville was given room on the left and found Johnson in a good position some 12 yards out. The Palace striker cleverly turned his defender and then fired right-footed past Marcus Hahnemann.
After the break, Wayne Routledge shot fractionally wide before Reading got back into it with a smart goal from Owusu.
But the credit must go to Scott Murray for a magnificent run, cutting inside from the right touchline before laying a perfect pass to Owusu, who controlled the ball instantly, turned on a sixpence and then placed his shot wide of Berthelin from some ten yards out.
Both sides were playing well, but perhaps Reading had the edge. Freedman missed a great chance for Palace, but the best opportunity was reserved for Shaun Goater when he was put clean through, but blasted his shot at Berthelin who was able to stop it with his outstretched leg.