Royals got off to a dream start in the first leg at Etihad Stadium last night after Gozie Ugwu’s 13th minute header put the visitors in front.

It got even better for Martin Kuhl’s youngsters when Craig Tanner slotted home on 31 minutes to double their lead.

However, Devante Cole - son of ex-England and Manchester United striker, Andy - pulled one back for the hosts six minutes before the interval to raise hopes of a City comeback.

Royals went close to restoring their two-goal cushion after the break when Tariqe Fosu hit the crossbar.

But they were dealt a major blow just before the hour when Jake Cooper received a straight red from referee Lee Mason for handling a Marcos Lopes strike in front of an open goal.

Lopes made no mistake from the spot to level the scores up and City got their noses in front two minutes from time when Cole bundled home his second of the night.

Nevertheless, Kuhl insists Royals are still in the tie ahead of the second leg at Madejski Stadium on Saturday, April 19 (3pm ko).

“We’re not finished at all,” he declared. “Middlesbrough is the next game and then hopefully we’ll have a good crowd for the second leg.

“We seem to play quite well at Madejski. The lads have got used to playing on the surface, and we’re looking forward to it.

“Since Christmas we’ve gone to likes of Chelsea and Arsenal and we’ve dominated. The gaffer wants us to pass the ball, and we’re trying to produce players who can do that.”

Reading: Lincoln, Keown, Griffin, Sweeney, Cooper, Tshibola, Kuhl (C), Stacey, Fosu, Tanner, Ugwu. Subs not used: Ward, Long, Murombedzi, Kelly, Cardwell. Booked: Fosu 42. Red card: Cooper 60/.

Man City: Lawlor, Drury, Leigh (Tasende 74), Facey, Denayer, Glendon (Fofana 55), Bytyqi, Ntcham, Hiwula, Lopes, Cole. Subs not used: Plummer, O’Brien, Bossaerts, Tasende, Fofana

Referee: Lee Mason

Attendance: 4,873.