After a goalless first half at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Vakhtang Salia's neat finish fired Newcastle's youngsters into the lead, the Georgian striker's third goal in his last four league matches at Under-21 level, before the teenage forward received a straight red card in the closing stages for violent conduct.
Despite a valiant effort with ten men, United's second-string's hopes of a sixth win in a row across all competitions were cruelly dashed in the final seconds of the league clash as Dashi's clinical equaliser saw the spoils shared in Berkshire.
Robbie Stockdale made one change from Tuesday's 1-0 away win against Rotherham United in the Jersey Mike's Trophy as Johnny Emerson returned to the starting XI in place of Alfie Seldon after serving a one-match suspension.
Salia, who was targeting a sixth goal across all competitions at Under-21 level so far this season, created the opening chance in front of goal as the Georgian striker regained possession with a sliding tackle and after a dangerous attack, drove a fierce attempt over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Magpies goalkeeper Roman Dowell, targeting a third consecutive clean sheet at second-string level, produced an impressive stop to deny Joe Barough as the Royals winger's goal bound effort forced the 16-year-old into crucially pushing the ball away from danger.
Matheos Ferreira, who received a first international call-up for Brazil Under-20s, almost netted his third goal of the season at Under-21 level as the 18-year-old winger collected Salia's cross at the back post and after evading his marker, saw his powerful shot from a tight angle pushed out for a corner by Josh Welland.
Dowell, who joined United's youth set-up at Under-9 level, kept the visitors on level terms shortly after, pushing Torin Ntege's rising effort over the crossbar after a dangerous run from the Reading forward.
Salia, who officially joined the Magpies from Dinamo Tbilisi in his native homeland on his 18th birthday, carried out a further effort at goal as the highly-rated teenager combined neatly with Ferreira but his tame effort was comfortably held by Welland.
In the 48th minute, United broke the deadlock through Salia as the Georgian youngster latched onto Ferreira's neat cutback inside the penalty area, following a neat exchange with Kyran Thompson, before firing a low first-time shot beyond Welland.
Henry Johnson produced a vital goal line clearance to prevent Reading from levelling in swift fashion as the 18-year-old defender was alert to the danger inside the box after the Magpies backline were unable to deal a lofted cross from the left flank
Dowell produced an excellent stop to preserve Newcastle's clean sheet hopes as the ball fell kindly into Luke Howard's path from the right wing but the England Under-18 international managed to turn the close-range effort out for a corner.
Ferreira was unable to double Newcastle's advantage after the hour mark as the Berwick-born youngster arrived onto Kyle Fitzgerald's threaded pass but drove his effort over the bar.
The game took a difficult turn for Newcastle in the closing stages as Salia received a straight red card, appearing to kick out at Reading defender Kevin Mfuamba in the aftermath of a challenge involving the pair near the halfway line.
Despite their disadvantage, Magpies substitute Alfie Seldon went close to doubling the visitors' lead in the final minutes as the 17-year-old winger raced onto Jayden Kouossu's poked ball but his fierce effort was tipped out for a corner by Welland.
Newcastle were dealt a crushing blow in the 96th minute as Dashi equalised for Reading, arriving onto a low cross from the left flank before bending a powerful effort into the far right-hand corner.
Newcastle United Under-21s: Roman Dowell, Henry Johnson, Dylan Charlton, Logan Watts, Miodrag Pivaš, Scott Bailey (c), Johnny Emerson (Park Seung-soo 45 (Alfie Seldon 72)), Mason Miley, Vakhtang Salia, Kyran Thompson (Kyle Fitzgerald 62), Matheos Ferreira (Jayden Kouossu 78).
Subs not used: Tyler Jones, Luke Craggs, Kacey Wooster.
Photograph courtesy of Jason Dawson (Reading Football Club)
