article_snippet.sent: But they allowed a mediocre Cardiff side to snatch a point in the 90th minute when Conor McAleny rifled in a shot from Aron Gunnarsson's precise pass.
article_snippet.sent: Cardiff, beaten 2-1 at home by Reading in the cup fourth round in January, replied quickly.
article_snippet.sent: McAleny tried a snapshot from the edge of the Reading area but McAleny effort was half-blocked and goalkeeper Adam Federici gathered comfortably.
article_snippet.sent: McAleny cut in from the left flank but McAleny powerful strike was blocked by captain Alex Pearce at the near post, and Peter Whittingham's dangerous free-kick was neatly caught by goalkeeper Adam Federici.
article_snippet.sent: Cardiff relied on the swift counter-attack, with Joe Ralls almost setting free McAleny.
article_snippet.sent: But Joe Ralls final pass carried too much pace and, with McAleny unable to retrieve his final pass, the chance went begging.
article_snippet.sent: An opportunity also went astray at the other end, when Bruno Ecuele-Manga's poor pass was intercepted by McCleary but the Reading winger hesitated too long before firing a shot wide of Marshall's far post.
article_snippet.sent: Cardiff responded with a low shot from Craig Noone, which goalkeeper Adam Federici did well to save, and a header from Ecuele-Manga from another Whittingham free-kick, which drifted wide.
article_snippet.sent: But Cardiff grabbed a draw right at the end from McAleny's fine finish from the edge of the home area.