Shane Long struck late on to preserve Reading's unbeaten run and send Southampton into the Championship relegation zone with a 1-1 draw.

David McGoldrick's eighth goal of the season with 16 minutes left looked to have earned Southampton their first win in eight attempts - a run that started following their win at Reading in November.

But Jan Poortvliet's men were unable to hold on and Reading, who have remained unbeaten in the seven games since that defeat, were able to close the gap on leaders Wolves to six points when Long nodded home from close range after Michael Duberry had flicked on James Harper's free-kick.

Despite the euphoria of the late goal, though, Reading may well look back on this as a missed opportunity as should Wolves win at Blackpool on Monday night, they will be nine points ahead of Steve Coppell's men going into 2009.