Callum McManaman had put Wigan ahead in the first-half against the run of play, but Royals fought back to lead through a quickfire double from Shaun Cummings and Sean Morrison.

Cummings fired home from 25 yards in the 71st minute to score his first professional goal after 118 games.

Morrison then nodded home in the 77th minute after Alex Pearce had headed Danny Guthrie’s free-kick back across goal for his fellow central defender to convert.

It was a fantastic performance from a young Reading side and it looked like they would get the win they deserved, until James McArthur headed home in the third minute of added time to deny Adkins’ men.

But the Royals boss was delighted with what he saw from his side and remained positive despite the late equaliser.

Adkins said: “We played really well, it’s unfortunate at the end, we’d kept the ball well in the corner.

“Then one pumped ball into the box, Sean [Morrison] had a super game but in his desire to win the ball he got into Pearcey’s space and they’ve scored.

“But I’m taking the overall big picture, I thought the spirit was there for all to see with a young side. The quality was excellent and we played some really good football.

“Simon Cox looked a class act when he came on.

“Away from home against a side expected to be up there, I thought we were the dominant team, especially in the second half.

“I’m sick we haven’t won, but there are many positives – team spirit, togetherness and quality of football - and I’m very positive about the future.

“We’ve got a young group, we must allow them to develop and make mistakes, but today is a good start.”

The Reading boss was specifically pleased with the amount of chances that the Royals had created.

“We created a phenomenal amount of chances,” he added. “Starting with Ryan [Edwards] from a pull-back by Pav [Pogrebynak], we hit the post twice, Nick Blackman forced the keeper into a great save and we had so many things flashing across the box.

“We were unfortunate to be 1-0 down but then Shaun Cummings, what a fantastic team goal that was.

We played out from the back, played through the team, there’s your full back getting forward.

“Shaun had a super pre-season. With him there I thought it would negate McManaman and like I say I thought he had a super game.

“Then the second goal from Sean Morrison was straight off the training ground, it worked a treat which was why everyone was very happy.”

**SEE Thursday's Chronicle for the all the latest sports news and action including pictures from Royals' Capital One Cup match against Newport County**