Reading 2 Charlton 2

Skipper Mark Hudson's third goal of the season slammed the brakes on Reading's pursuit of promotion as Charlton fought back in the closing stages at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night to snatch an unexpected point.

Hudson, whose late mistake handed Watford victory at The Valley on Saturday, made amends five minutes from time when he headed home Nicky Bailey's deep free-kick.

At the final whistle, manager Phil Parkinson was left scratching his head, wondering why his side are better on away days as they stretched their recent unbeaten sequence on the road to three games.

Parkinson opted for a 4-5-1 formation on his first return as manager to his former club.

Charlton took a 16th minute lead through midfielder Nicky Bailey's 10th goal of the season. He was handily placed to bundle the ball into goal from Tresor Kandol's cross.

They retained the lead until the 46th minute when yet again this season they paid for a lapse in concentration at the start of a second half.

This time they conceded a penalty when Shane Long was sent tumbling under a challenge from Darren Ward. Long picked himself up to equalise.

Long gave Reading a 67th minute when he headed in substitute Jay Tabb's cross.

Charlton refused to buckle and Hudson's point-saving header was no more then they deserved.