Lucas Boye snatched a dramatic last gasp equaliser for Reading at Molineux; but it was Wolves who progressed to the Round of 16 with a penalty shootout victory, writes James Earnshaw.

An inexperienced side started in the Midlands and another mistake from young goalkeeper Joao Virginia gave the home side a deserved first-half lead through Bruno Jordao.

However, a gritty away performance, and inspired substitutions from manager Jose Gomes, saw Boye score a header in the final minute of the game.

Having gone 1-0 down, the gaffer bought on three major players in the Reading squad: Ovie Ejaria; John Swift and George Puscas.

Ejaria and Swift changed the game, with the more forward-minded midfielders cutting the Wolves defence at will.

Although regularly leaving fans bemused with his tactical changes so far this season, Gomes must be applauded when they come off, and tonight was one such night.

With a more attacking impetus, and Nuno Espirito Santo bringing on some of his younger players, Reading took the game to the home side and pinned them back for long spells.

The dangerous nature of Reading attacks only increased when Shabani got injured with ten minutes remaining as Wolves dropped to ten men with all of their substitutes having already been made.

John Ruddy was forced into a fine save late on but the pressure eventually told and in the ninth minute of stoppage time Swift pulled off a sumptuous rabona cross for the Argentine Boye to head past Ruddy and send the 200 or so travelling fans delirious.

It ultimately was not to be though, with both Swift and Boye missing their spot-kicks to set up a fourth round tie between Wolves and near-neighbours Aston Villa.

Despite suffering a third straight defeat, there were plenty of positives for the Royals.

The side showed great determination to take a Premier League side to penalties from a goal behind, especially suffering a setback such as the mistake.

Gomes’ tactical changes paid off this time, getting the side back into the game and forcing the equaliser.

Ejaria and Swift both drove forward and went back to defend in equal amounts of endeavour, and looked a cut above the young Wolves midfield, which was being marshalled by star name Ruben Neves.

Possibly the biggest positive to take from the game though was minutes for the younger players, all of which appear to have bright futures ahead of them.

Teddy Howe; Tom McIntyre; Omar Richards and Josh Barrett all played important roles in the match, with the academy graduates not looking out of place amongst the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Matt Doherty in the home ranks.

So ultimately it was not to be, but there was no shame in the cup exit for Reading.

If the side play like they did for most of the second half tonight in their remaining Championship fixtures, they will have a positive season.