CHERRIES dropped points to a side in the relegation battle for the second time in the span of three games after being held by Reading in a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.

The hosts took a one goal lead into the break courtesy of Dominic Solanke’s opener, before Tom Ince’s sublime strike ensured the spoils were shared late on.

Cherries made one change from the side that beat Derby County 2-0 at the weekend, with Leif Davis ruled out after coming off with an injury in the clash with the Rams.

In came Jordan Zemura, who had replaced Davis as a substitute in Saturday’s win.

Reading had fell behind to a 17-second opener in their weekend thumping away at Nottingham Forest, and again the Royals failed to contain their opponents in the early stages.

A well-crafted Cherries move saw the away side quickly ripped apart. Zemura’s smart pass with the outside of his boot slipped in Solanke, before the striker played a quick one-two with Jefferson Lerma inside of the box to tee up an effort on goal.

The finish was just as composed as the passing move that preceded it, with Solanke slipping the ball under Nyland to open the scores after just eight minutes.

Undeterred by the early goal, Reading quickly looked to muster a response of their own.

A cross towards the back post seemed destined to be touched home by Lucas Joao, only for the brave intervention of Travers to divert the ball away at the last second.

After the early flurry of action, the game settled into a pattern of Cherries dominance via passing and the Royals sitting back.

Jack Stacey came close when his drive into the box only ended after his shot was blocked at the near post, whilst Travers had to be alert to save well from Andy Rinomhota’s strike from just outside the box.

Todd Cantwell found himself walking a tight rope after picking up an early booking, and after a few niggly fouls before the break, Cherries erred on the side of safety and replaced him with Jamal Lowe at the break.

The script was flipped in the second period, with Reading now the side enjoying possession whilst the Dorset Club were made to watch on.

Nat Phillips had to time his intervention well to ensure he did not clatter into Joao or Josh Laurent when he diverted a dangerous cross out for a corner at the far post.

Reading controlled the majority of proceedings in the second-half without truly troubling Travers in the Cherries’ goal.

The away side had an appeal for a penalty turned down by match official Leigh Doughty, after the man in the middle deemed Ovie Ejaria’s fall in the box unworthy of a spotkick.

Cherries were unable to regain a foothold in the game, allowing the away side to pen them back whilst Reading searched for an equaliser.

Royals’ near constant pressure would eventual tell, when Ince struck in the 83rd minute.

Despite their control of possession, the Royals were unable to break Cherries down from open play.

They would find their goal after Cherries failed to react after clearing a corner, with Ince placed to lash the ball into the top right to restore parity.

Whilst Cherries managed to see more of the ball in the closing 10 minutes, neither side were truly able to create a potential winner.

Cherries: Travers (g/k), Stacey, Phillips, Kelly, Zemura, Cook (Pearson, 76), Lerma, Cantwell (Lowe, h-t), Anthony (Dembele, 86), Solanke, Christie

Unused subs: Laird, Woodman (g/k), Cahill, Marcondes, Dembele

Booked: Cantwell, Lerma

Reading: Nyland (g/k), Yiadom, McIntyre, Morrison, Holmes, Rinomhota, Drinkwater, Laurent, Ejaria (Hoilett, 89) , Ince, Joao (Meite, 76)

Unused subs: Southwood (g/k), Abrefa, Dann, Dele-Bashiru, Barker

Booked: Laurent