Jayden Wareham denies former club Reading victory with equaliser for Exeter

Former Reading striker Jayden Wareham struck an equaliser for Exeter to deny his old club victory in a 1-1 draw at St James Park.

Reading went in front inside six minutes when Jack Marriott finished between the legs of Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth after a defensive mix-up.

However, the Grecians were level within five minutes when Reece Cole pulled the ball back from the by-line and Wareham, who joined the Grecians from the Berkshire side in the summer, lashed the ball into the roof of the net to silence the travelling Reading fans that had been giving him grief.

Pierce Sweeney, another former Royal, headed a great chance over the bar for Exeter in an entertaining first half.

Marriott missed a glorious chance to put the Royals back in front on the hour mark, sweeping a shot over the bar from 12 yards from Kamari Doyle’s cross, and Johnly Yfeko then made a superb block to deny the Reading striker’s header.

Matty Jacob poked the ball over from close range as Exeter failed to clear a corner but chances were few and far between after the break as both teams settled for a point.