RICARDO Fuller rescued PNE's FA Cup dream with two goals which cancelled out a brace of bizarre own goals by a Preston defence apparently determined to commit suicide.
Shaun Goater nodded Reading into the lead on seven minutes when he diverted a dangerous free kick above Jonathan Gould and into the back of the Preston net.
Brian O'Neil immediatley responded for Preston when he unleashed a 25-yard drive which took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot Keep Marcus Hahnemann.
But then Michael Jackson, guilty of conceding the free kick which Goater scored from, sliced an incoming cross from Graeme Murty into the back of his own net. Had it left it alone, it would have sailed away and out of danger.
Fuller put himself firmly in the transfer shop window - and put North End level - when he headed home from three yards after meeting with David Healy's cross - the result of an excellent build up play between the Northern Ireland international and midfielder Paul McKenna on the left wing in the 31st minute.
Preston's Claude Davis gave Reading the lead four minutes later when he bobbed Murty's inswinging cross into the back of the net - above a stranded Gould.
Fuller poached Preston's third equaliser in first-half stoppage time when he knocked down American Eddie Lewis' pinpoint cross.
Both sides could have nicked a lead in the second half, with Preston missing the lion's share of chances. On 65 minutes, Fuller crossed to Healy, whose shot went wide, as did Michael Keane's attempt. Graham Alexander then saw his close-range effort saved by Hahnemann.
Hahnneman then was forced to dive full stretch to save what should have been Fuller's third - a six-yard tap which the American managed to paw away for a corner. It was the last chance Fuller had before being substituted - Preston's threatening presence up-front appearing to leave the pitch with the Jamaican.
Reading sub John Salako forced a save from Gould from a 25-yard free kick, and Gould also denied Dean Morgan on the whistle to ensure Preston at least have the chance to replay.
PNE 3
READING 3
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article