READING Under 23s had to come from behind twice to draw 3-3 in an entertaining match against table-toppers West Ham United in Premier League 2 Division Two.

It marked the first competitive fixture at the new training ground at Bearwood.

Goals from Thierry Nevers, Conor Lawless and Tyler Frost cancelled out strikes from Sean Adarkwa, Gonçalo Cardoso and Olatunji Akinola for the Young Hammers.

It was Royals who took the lead when Oliver Pendlebury linked up well with Tennai Watson and drilled a cross for Nevers, recently awarded with a first professional contract, to fire into the back of the net.

West Ham pressed hard for the equaliser, and it came on the half-hour mark as Adarkwa flicked in a header past Axel Andresson into the back of the net.

The game continued in a lively fashion as neither side wanted to settle for a point, and the away side took the lead on the hour-mark.

After a succession of corners, one paid off as Cardoso rose above the Reading defence and powered a header past Andresson.

Their lead did not last long, however, as the game once again swung in the home side's favour.

The youngsters’ quick passing and movement bamboozled the London clubs defence as Imari Samuels found himself free to deliver a low cross, which was comfortably tucked away by Lawless from close-range.

However, a key theme throughout the game re-emerged as Reading failed to deal with a corner, and less than five minutes after drawing level found themselves 3-2 behind.

Akinola headed into a free net as the ball was knocked back across from the far post to the near post, completely outwitting the home defence.

But Royals saved the best until last as Frost fired a dangerous free-kick over the wall and past Krisztián Hegyi in the Irons’ goal.

So ultimately attackers came out on top of what was an enthralling, end-to-end encounter at the new home of the Royals.

Next up for Scott Marshall’s side is a Premier League Cup fixture against Colchester United on January 30.