Reading FC Under 23s edged closer to relegation from Premier League 2 Division One after a 2-2 draw at home to fellow strugglers Leicester City last night, writes Jack Simpson.

Royals fielded a strong-looking line-up for the clash at Madejski Stadium with Reece Oxford, Tiago Ilori, Danzell Gravenberch, Yakou Meite and Deniss Rakels among eight starters who have featured for the first team.

There was also a familiar name in the Leicester side with Royals Academy graduate Ben Hamer starting in goal for the visitors.

But Hamer was picking the ball out of the Foxes net twice in the opening 11 minutes after Martin Kuhl's hosts got off to a storming start.

Before that Leicester had looked dangerous as Liandro Martis and Lamine Kaba Sherif tested Royals stopper George Legg before Hamza Choudhury pulled a shot wide.

However, Reading opened the scoring with six minutes gone when Hamer turned a thunderous effort from Gravenberch onto the crossbar and Latvia striker Rakels slammed home the rebound.

And the hosts doubled their lead five minutes later when Meite latched onto a loose back-pass and rounded Hamer before slotting into an empty net.

Leicester, though, refused to buckle and remained a threat going forward.

They pulled it back to 2-1 when skipper Elliott Moore headed past Legg from a Connor Wood free-kick.

The Foxes then drew level soon after from the penalty spot with Choudhury sending Legg the wrong way after Ilori had tripped Kaba Sherif in the box.

But Reading were unfortunately not to regain the lead before the interval after hitting the woodwork twice.

Captain Andy Rinomhota rattled the crossbar before Hamer denied Rakels on the follow-up, then Tennai Watson hit the post after being set up by Josh Barrett.

Reading remained on the front foot after the break with Barrett testing Watson with a dipping effort.

Yet Leicester continued to probe themselves as Wood's deflected free-kick landed on the roof of the net before Oxford turned a dangerous cross against his own crossbar, much to Royals' relief.

Reading almost snatched a late winner when Ilori headed wide from a Ryan East free-kick, but Kuhl's young side had to settle for a draw.

The result sees Reading rooted to the bottom of Premier League 2 Division One with 19 points from 21 games, leaving them two points from safety with one game left to play.

Royals end the campaign against mid-table Sunderland at the Madjeski Stadium on May 8 (7pm ko).

Reading U23: Legg, Watson, Richards, Oxford, Dickie, Ilori, Gravenberch (East 46), Rinomhota, Barrett (Frost 89), Meite, Rakels (Loader 46). Subs not used: Southwood, Osho.