Sheffield Wednesday boss Tony Pulis slams 'stupid' dismissal of Liam Shaw

The sending off of Shaw ensured that the Owls were firmly up against it for the remainder of the game after taking the lead with a fine opener from Callum Paterson - the first goal at Hillsborough in tenure of Pulis.

Reading made the most of their man advantage and their intense pressure told shortly before the break when Lucas Joao netted in his first game against the Owls since his transfer in August 2019 - on his return to Hillsborough - to restore parity.

It was one-way traffic in the second half as Reading pressed, but they caught not break through resolute Wednesday who provided a heroic rearguard display in the best traditions of a Pulis side to take a precious point.

Pulis was delighted with his side's mentality, if less so with Shaw's contribution.

Pulis, whose side visit Norwich on Saturday, said: "It was a reckless challenge. You can’t go in that strongly in the modern game.

"We played well up to that point.

"Shawy has been stupid today. It was reckless challenge that should never happen.

"I can give Shawy some grace. He’s a young lad.

But it has got to stop. Massimo (Luongo) has (also) got five bookings so he can’t play on Saturday."

On his side's battling qualities amid considerable adversity to dig out a point, he added: "There is good spirit in the dressing room. We have tried to put them all together.

"The dressing room lacked a bit of confidence and maybe some direction (when I came in).

"They are a good group of people.

"They maybe lack a little bit of that spice that good teams have."