Reading promoted

Jamie Cureton celebrates with chairman John Madjeski

Brentford 1-1 Reading

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Reading finally secured promotion to Division One, coming from behind to earn a draw with Brentford at Griffin Park.

Alan Pardew's side, who missed out last season after losing in the play-off final, can now look forward to life in the higher reaches of the Football League once again.

The first half was a cagey affair with chances few and far between as neither side was able to dominate with so much at stake.

The home side broke the deadlock six minutes after the break.

Bees' leading scorer Lloyd Owusu crossed from the left and Martin Rowlands was on hand to lash the ball inside the near post from 10 yards.

The goal seemed set to send Brentford up to Division One at Reading's expense.

However, Reading then piled on the pressure and deservedly equalised 13 minutes from time.

Royals' substitute Jamie Cureton calmly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Paul Smith to send his side into dreamland.

Brentford will now have to go through the play-offs - along with Cardiff, Stoke and Huddersfield - for another bite at the cherry.

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Brentford: Paul Smith, Dobson, Ingimarsson, Powell, Anderson, Rowlands, Hunt, Sidwell, Paul Evans, Owusu, Burgess. Subs: Gottskalksson, Boxall, O'Connor, Williams, Theobald.

Reading: Whitehead, Murty, Viveash, Shorey, Hughes, Igoe, Parkinson, Williams, Salako, Butler, Forster. Subs: Watson, Cureton, Savage, Talia, Roget.

Referee: F Stretton (Nottingham)