Bristol City 1-1 Reading: Robins' play-off hopes dealt a blow by Royals

Championship play-off contenders Bristol City dropped two points after being forced to come from behind to draw with relegation battlers Reading.

But City levelled on 72 minutes when substitute Niclas Eliasson crossed from the left to the far post for Josh Brownhill to beat Emiliano Martinez with a downward header for his second goal in three games.

Reading, who are now five points clear of trouble prior to the afternoon fixtures, are unbeaten in three games, having beaten Brentford either side of their draws at leaders Norwich and at Ashton Gate.

Sixth-placed City could drop out of the play-off positions later in the day, if either Middlesbrough or Derby County win.

• Relive Bristol City's draw with Reading plus live EFL action

The Robins now go to Hillsborough on Monday to face Sheffield Wednesday, while Reading host another promotion-chasing side West Bromwich Albion.

Lee Johnson's side may have a big doubt over injury-riddled midfielder Korey Smith, who was stretchered off in pain on 29 minutes following a heavy collision with on-loan Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria.

Smith, who has played just six times this season, was out until late March before returning for two games, but he then missed the next three.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson:

"Korey has gone for x-rays on an area around his ankle and it is just a case of keeping everything crossed. If it's no more than bruising he might not be out for that long.

"But, if there is a crack in the bone, we are looking at a lay-off well beyond the end of the season. We all feel for him because he has had wretched luck with injuries.

"To be honest I am not feeling negative in the slightest. e played well and the lads worked their socks off. At times we just lacked that bit of quality with our final pass but I couldn't ask any more of them.

"Three of our last four games are away and there will be people eager to write us off. I don't mind that. Our form on our travels has been good and we are playing without fear.

Reading boss Jose Gomes:

"It's great when you see work on the training ground pay off in a game. We practised that free-kick first with just the players involved two days before the game and then with the whole team the following day.

"Everyone expects Ovie to shoot when he receives the ball and the whole move depends on the accuracy of his pass to Andy, which was perfect.

"It is a good point for us against a team who were 3-0 up on West Bromwich Albion in the first 20 minutes. They have good offensive players and play a lot of direct balls into the box.

"I don't know how many points we will need to be safe because there are so many surprise results in the Championship. If we start thinking about targets we may lose our focus on the next game."