KNIBBS NETS TO THWART VISITING O'S

JAMES Oliver-Pearce, assistant manager at Reading, believes his players are “pushing their bodies to the limit” in a bid to escape League One relegation after a battling draw against Leyton Orient.

- Steve Gibbon

Dan Agyei gave Orient a 19th-minute lead from the penalty spot but Harvey Knibbs equalised four minutes later from close range.

Although both sides offered plenty of effort and endeavour after the interval, neither was able to make the breakthrough.

“The guys worked really hard and that’s what we expect them to do, to keep pushing and pushing,” Oliver-Pearce said.

“It’s non-negotiable for us. You want to win a game of football and if that requires you to put your body on the line, they have to do it.

“I thought that we were excellent in the first 20 minutes. That’s some of the best football we’ve probably played for a while.

“We had lots of momentum and we caused Orient a lot of problems.

“To concede the goal was frustrating. It wasn’t an intentional handball but it was clear for everyone to see. These things happen.