Long on song to deny Saints

SHANE LONG has spent much of this season overshadowed by Reading’s more extrovert Irish stars, but the Tipperary-born striker rose to the occasion yesterday to maintain his side’s Premier League push.

Long plundered a priceless late equaliser against struggling Southampton to keep the Royals in the Championship top two, although Wolves could pull clear if they beat Blackpool tonight.

Manager Steve Coppell hailed his side’s battling qualities after seeing them dominated for long spells by their hosts.