READING FC skipper Paul McShane will miss the home leg of the Championship play-off semi final after his sending off in the 1-1 draw at Fulham.

McShane was shown a straight red by referee Stuart Attwell for a knee-high challenge on Kevin McDonald in the 79th minute, ruling him out of Tuesday’s second leg at Madejski Stadium.

It was a cruel blow for the Royals who led through Jordan Obita’s blistering 53rd minute strike before Fulham captain Tom Cairney equalised 11 minutes later following an Ali Al-Habsi mistake.

And to add to Reading’s woes, Obita was carried off on a stretcher at the end of the game after suffering an ankle injury while chasing Fulham speedster Ryan Fredericks.

Nevertheless, Jaap Stam’s Royals remain right in the tie and will now hope to make home advantage count when the teams clash again next week.

Stam made four changes from the side that won 4-2 at Burton Albion last weekend.

Tyler Blackett returned to central defence alongside skipper Paul McShane, who passed a late fitness test.

Stam also added fresh legs in midfield as John Swift, Danny Williams and Lewis Grabban all got the nod, Grabban in a supporting role to in-form striker, Yann Kermorgant.

Garath McCleary was also back on the bench after a recent groin injury, but Liam Kelly did not travel through illness.

With so much at stake, there was a high energy start from both teams.

But in the eighth minute Grabban took too long to pull the trigger after Kermorgant put him through allowing Tim Ream to nip in and concede a corner.

But from the second flag-kick Fulham broke quickly and Cairney rifled one narrowly wide from 25 yards, though Al-Habsi had it covered.

Royals maintained their high-tempo and were right in Fulham’s faces, closing down the hosts at every opportunity.

But the Cottagers went close again in the 21st minute when Floyd Ayite pulled the ball back to Sone Aluko who’s first-time effort rolled a foot wide of the far post with Al-Habsi struggling to get across.

Then three minutes later Malone blazed over from a decent position after Swift had coughed up possession near the halfway line.

The momentum appeared to be with Fulham, yet Royals refused to give an inch as the tackles flew in, with Williams outstanding in midfield.

They also tried to slow Fulham down at every opportunity, with Swift earning a booking for time wasting at a Reading corner, and Kermorgant joining him moments later for a late tackle on Ayite.

But it was a disciplined display from the visitors and they avoided danger again on the stroke of half-time when Liam Moore stood up Ayite in the box before the Fulham winger panicked and missed the target from 10 yards out.

And when Royals did carve out a clear opening eight minutes after the break they took their chance superbly.

Reading Chronicle:

Jordan Obita hits a sweet shot into the far corner to give Reading the lead before being stretchered off with an ankle injury.

McShane bombed forward and found Obita lurking on the left. Royals’ wing-back still had plenty to do but he took a couple of touches before hammering an angled drive past Marcus Bettinelli and in off the far post.

It was Obita’s second goal of the season, but he may not score a more important one in his career.

Craven Cottage was stunned as Royals’ fans celebrated. But Fulham issued a warning soon after when Stefan Johansen fired straight down Al-Habsi’s throat from the edge of the box.

Yet as Fulham pressed forward they left spaces at the back, and Reading almost capitalised in the 63rd minute when Kermorgant’s smart first-time volley bounced agonisingly wide of the post after Al-Habsi’s punt had been flicked on.

But Reading’s lead was quickly wiped out in the 64th minute.

Fulham broke down the left and Malone played a neat one-two with Ayite before drilling a shot which Al-Habsi could only parry straight to Cairney, who headed into an empty net from close range.

Al-Habsi will be kicking himself for failing to punch the ball away, but Reading could have done more to snuff out the attack at source.

The Cottagers were on the front foot, and they were screaming for a penalty 12 minutes from time when Obita collided with Ryan Fredericks, but referee Stuart Attwell did not want to know.

However, Attwell was soon reaching for his pocket a minute later when McShane caught McDonald around the knee and was shown a straight red card, ruling him out of the second leg.

It was backs-to-the-wall stuff from there as Fulham piled on the pressure and looked to make their extra man count.

But Royals survived through a combination of grit and determination summed up by Moore’s brilliant block-tackle to deny Ayite before a Fredericks cross flashed across goal in the dying moments.

The second leg takes place at Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko), with Obita now a big injury doubt and McShane suspended.

Fulham: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Malone, McDonald, Cairney (c), Ayite, Ream, Johansen, Aluko (Cyriac 86), Martin (Kebano 61), Kalas. Subs not used: Button, Odoi, Parker, Piazon, Sessegnon. Booked: McDonald 56.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Moore, Blackett, Evans, Williams, Swift (Van den Berg 74), Grabban (Mendes 68 (Ilori 82)), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Jaakkola, Van den Berg, Beerens, McCleary, Popa. Booked: Swift 40, Kermorgant 42. Red card: McShane 79.

Referee: Stuart Attwell.

Attendance: 23,717.