Tom Cairney headed in a crucial equaliser as Fulham drew 1-1 with 10-man Reading in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at Craven Cottage.
Jordan Obita netted for the second straight match to put Reading in front early in the second half.
But an error from goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi allowed Cairney to celebrate his 13th league goal of the season, ensuring the tie goes into Tuesday's second leg level, the visitors holding on after Paul McShane was sent off late on.
Despite finishing sixth in the Championship, Fulham came into the play-offs as favourites after winning five and drawing one of their last six matches, but Reading themselves had won seven in nine and finished the campaign third – with the tie proving as close as the formbook suggested.
| 's magnificent strike beats the keeper putting the royals ahead May 13, 2017
The visitors then had a penalty claim waved away when Danny Williams went down under home captain Cairney's challenge in the box.
That decision became even more crucial when Fulham drew level with 25 minutes remaining. It was a slick passing move from the hosts that forced an error from Al Habsi – who poorly parried Malone's left-wing cross – allowing Cairney to head in from six yards.
And Reading had to survive the last 10 minutes with 10 men after McShane was dismissed for a high challenge on Kevin McDonald.
