As Jordan Ayew stepped up with 90 minutes on the clock and the chance to hand Aston Villa a first away win in 437 days, Steve Bruce turned his back.
Jordan Ayew's last gasp penalty breaks 437-day curse
Steve Bruce off mark as Jordan Ayew clinches last gasp Aston Villa win
Recommended articles
The new manager could not bear to watch — plenty of the travelling supporters at the Madejski Stadium probably felt like doing the same. That’s what form as luckless as Villa’s can do.
They needn’t have worried though, Ayew took a step, stuttered, and put the ball into the bottom-right corner to spark wild scenes behind the goal to send 4,000 travelling supporters into scenes of delirious joy, including a mini-pitch invasion, at the end of a 437 day period without a win on the road.
Reading pinned Villa down early on but the visitors snatched the lead when Albert Adomah’s cross set up Kodjia, who netted with a deflected shot.
Royals drew level in dramatic fashion.
Garath McCleary was fouled by Aly Cissokho and referee Andy Woolmer pointed to the spot. Danny Williams saw his effort pushed away by keeper Pierluigi Gollini.
But striker Kermorgant was there to head in the rebound.
Ayew — £8m of that total, picked up the ball on the left and his trickery inside the box led to a trip from Liam Moore.
His stuttered effort outfoxed Al-Habsi and the ball rolled into the corner as fans rolled down the stand and on to the pitch in the mayhem that followed.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh