Tony Mowbray praised the spirit of his group after they battled back from 2-0 down to maintain their unbeaten start to the season against Reading.

Charlie Mulgrew scored twice from the spot to level things up after Jon Dadi Bodvarson had hit a brace for the Royals in the first-half.

Rovers were without both Bradley Dack and Kasey Palmer, while Adam Armstrong and Dominic Samuel picked up injuries during the game.

And reflecting on the result, Mowbray said: “I thought we started really well and could have been a couple of goals up in the first 10 minutes and then got hit with a sucker punch really.

“There was confusion between Lenihan and the goalie and credit to their centre forward for nipping in and putting in it.

“I think that knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit because we’d started well. It quietened the crowd down and was a shock to the system really.

“They got a second goal and we got in at half-time and regrouped.

“We tinkered with the shape a little bit and you’ve seen it hundreds of times, the spirit of the team is there to see. They never given in, never say we’re beaten attitude and that inspired the crowd.

“We got the first goal back and the crowd we’re up for it and the team responded. We got the job done as far as not losing the football match but had some chances late on to nick it.

“Nuttall’s header seemed a great chance and I could picture it dropping in to the far corner.

“It was a great effort, great desire not to get beat and hopefully the fans can see the effort of the team and there’s that connection and we keep fighting together and there’s a never say die attitude.

“I stand here now happy with a draw. If you’d asked me before the game I’d have been disappointed with a draw but the way the game panned out, the injuries before and during the game, being 2-0 down at half-time to end 2-2 is a fantastic result for the group.”