READING FC are one game away from Wembley after the first leg of their Championship play-off semi final at Fulham ended 1-1.

Royals, cheered on by 2,000 travelling supporters, hope to make home advantage count when the teams lock horns for the second time tomorrow night (7.45pm ko).

And as Royals have only been beaten twice at the Madejski Stadium this season, Jaap Stam's men should be favourites to win the clash and book a trip to Wembley for the final on Monday, May 29.

There was little to choose between the sides during Saturday's game in west London.

Fulham skipper Tom Cairney, Sone Aluko, Scott Malone and Floyd Ayite had chances for the home side but failed to test Ali Al-Habsi, while Lewis Grabban and Liam Moore went closest for the visitors.

Reading Chronicle:

Liam Kelly beats Fulham's Chris Martin to the ball.

But Reading broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half when Paul McShane bombed forward and slipped the ball to Jordan Obita who lashed an angled drive past Marcus Bettinelli and into the far corner.

It was a stunning strike from the wing-back and only his third goal in 160 Royals appearances could prove a pivotal one in the battle for promotion.

Sadly, Stam's men could only hold on to their lead for 11 minutes as Al-Habsi parried Malone's effort straight to Cairney who headed in the equaliser.

Reading were then dealt a major blow in the 79th minute when skipper Paul McShane was red carded by referee Stuart Attwell for a knee-high challenge on Kevin McDonald.

McShane later claimed he had been fouled in the process, causing him to lose balance and commit a high tackle.

But Reading will not be appealing the red card, meaning McShane will serve a three-match suspension and will miss the second leg and the final at Wembley, should Royals yet there.

Reading Chronicle:

Reading boss Jaap Stam shakes hands with Fulham's Slavisa Jokanovic after Saturday's game.

Stam's men managed to hold on for the last 11 minutes at Craven Cottage and are now getting ready for tomorrow's mouthwatering home leg.

However, in addition to McShane's suspension, Obita is an injury doubt as he left the pitch on a stretcher after damaging his ankle in the closing stages.

Joey van den Berg, Tiago Ilori and Reece Oxford could all step in in his absence, while midfielder Liam Kelly will be available for selection after missing the first leg through illness.