14^th December 2005

3^rd Round – Away at Reading

Lost 2-3

Scorers – John Paul Kissock, Scott Phelan

Match Report from Toffeeweb

Everton: Jones; Irving, Molyneux, Dennehy (81' Elder), Holt; Kearney, Kissock, Phelan {c}; Downes (105' Connor); Anichebe, Vidarsson.
Subs not used: Clancy, Morrison, Densmore. Scorers: Kissock, Phelan (pen)
Yellow Cards: Kearney. Ref: Flynn Att: Not Known

Reading went ahead on 24 minutes but Everton hit back straight away when a short free-kick was powered home by John-Paul Kissock. But Reading took the lead again on 55 minutes when Church scored from close range after a shot came back off the post. Everton battled back and Victor Anichebe had his shot cleared off the line before they finally forced extra time, Phelan scoring from the spot with seven minutes left after Vidarsson was brought down.

There were few chances in extra time until a controversial penalty five minutes from the end when Reading's Simon Church went down in the area. It appeared as if there was little or no contact, but referee Flynn gave the spot-kick and Scott Davies scored to put Reading through to a fourth round tie at Nottingham Forest in the New Year.