Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson said that Reading are 'as good as anyone in the league' and he is bemused with why the Royals are battling relegation following an entertaining 2-2 draw on Boxing Day.

The Posh sit second in League One and are now unbeaten in their last 15 home matches.

Taking the lead twice, Sam Smith and Femi Azeez pegged the hosts back twice to ensure Reading extend their run of good form and keep within touching distance of exiting the relegation zone.

Son of legendary Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Darren lamented his side's lack of cutting-edge and some dubious refereeing decisions, but still heaped praise on Ruben Selles' side.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, the three-time promotion winner said: "I’m disappointed we’ve not won the game, a game I felt we deserved to win. Stats can be confusing but certainly not today, with 20 shots at goal and 16 corners. The one thing we didn’t do was take advantage of the one-goal lead and make it a two-goal lead, both at 1-0 and 2-1. I thought the opening part, up until about 30 minutes, was quite even.

"They’re a good team, I said that before the game. In my mind, the way they’re playing and the players they’ve got at the top end of the pitch, are as good as anyone in the league. I don’t know why they are where they are. The manager has done a good job with the way they are playing, I knew it would be a very tough game and it proved to be."

Reading now face Cheltenham Town and Exeter City in the space of three days, two sides battling the drop with the Royals.