Reading made it a seventh 1-1 draw of the 2020/21 Women’s Super League season on Sunday when they were held by strugglers Birmingham City.

Top scorer Rachel Rowe was on target to net her sixth goal of the season to cancel out an early Ruby Mace opener reports Ben Waite.

It was a seventh game without victory for Kelly Chambers’ side but with results elsewhere, Reading’s top-flight status was secured for another season.

Happily, in mid-table, the Royals were never in doubt for the relegation battle, but Chambers can now comfortably experiment with two games remaining.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s opponents Birmingham City continue to look over their shoulder.

The Blues started the faster of the sides and showed their intent when Mace opened the scoring after six minutes.

A goal bound corner was flapped at by goalkeeper Grace Moloney before Deanna Cooper cleared the ball off the line into the path of an onrushing Mace. The Arsenal loanee fired it at a helpless Moloney who could only divert the ball in to give the hosts a crucial lead in the battle for survival.

The again impressive Rowe forced a save from Hannah Hampton before Claudia Walker called Moloney into action with an excellent save at the opposite end.

Birmingham had the chance to extend their lead in the second half when Ruesha Littlejohn’s effort was cleared off the line by a combination of Bethan Roberts and Moloney as the Blues continued to push.

It was a disappointing day for Fara Williams and set pieces with a number wasted before the experienced midfielder showed her class.

A deep delivery picked out Cooper whose touch ricocheted off a cluster of Birmingham defenders and into the path of Rowe. The Welsh midfielder made no mistake as she drilled the ball in for the equaliser after 63 minutes.

There was a welcome return to matchday action for Brooke Chaplen as the forward replaced Amalie Eikeland with the Royals gaining momentum after their goal.

Reading could not find a winner though as the game wore on before Birmingham captain Christie Murray rattled the crossbar from distance.

Danielle Carter had a golden chance in stoppage time to find a winner but could only tamely fire at Hampton after great work from Chaplen.

The Royals now face Brighton & Hove Albion in their last home game of the season at Madejski, next Sunday.

Reading: Moloney, Roberts (Leine 70), Cooper, Bartrip, Woodham (Harries 70), Rowe, James, Williams, Harding ©, Carter, Eikeland (Chaplen 64).

Bench (Unused): Nayler, Flores, Childerhouse, Jeon.

Goals: Rowe 63.