Posh held to a 2-2 draw by Reading at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Peterborough United closed the gap on leaders Portsmouth, but will feel frustrated the gap wasn't down to just two points after a 2-2 draw with Reading at the Weston Homes Stadium on Boxing Day.
Darren Ferguson's men twice took the lead against the Royals, but were pegged back by a side clearly in a false position in the league table.
After a fairly quiet start to proceedings in PE2, it was Josh Knight who had the first effort of the game, but his shot whistled wide.
Posh felt they could have had a spot-kick on 25 minutes as skipper Peter Kioso appeared to be felled in the area before Archie Collins produced a fine last-ditch tackle to prevent Harvey Knibbs getting a shot on target at the other end.
Collins fired over the bar on 33 minutes before Posh struck the woodwork after a sublime move involving Harrison Burrows, Joel Randall and Ephron Mason-Clark who saw his powerful drive crack against the post after a sharp turn.
The deadlock was broken on 38 minutes as Randall's corner was powered home at the back post by Josh KNIGHT.
Posh could have doubled their lead on 42 minutes as Randall picked out Mason-Clark, but leaning back, he fired over.
Burrows forced Button into a save within 60 seconds of the re-start as Posh pushed for an immediate second goal.
Posh had the ball in the back of the net again on 56 minutes as Hector Kyprianou fired home after good work from Collins, but the offside flag curtailed any celebrations.
Kwame Poku should have done a lot better on 59 minutes after being picked out by Burrows, but he planted his header well wide.
Reading levelled just after the hour mark as Sam SMITH somehow squeezed a shot into the back of the net at the near post after good work from Knibbs.
On 66 minutes, the visitors struck the woodwork themselves and what a goal it would have been, Azeez letting fly from distance, Bilokapic was beaten but the crossbar was not.
Moments later, Posh were back in front as MASON-CLARK cut inside onto his right-foot and fired a low shot past Button at the near post.
Smith sent an acrobatic overhead kick over the bar before Burrows did the same at the other end, his effort going inches wide.
Reading levelled for a second time on 83 minutes as AZEEZ finished off a nice move with a clinical finish into the corner.
Posh: Bilokapic, Burrows, Edwards, Knight, Mason-Clark, Poku, Randall (sub Ajiboye 79min), Jones (sub Mothersille 85min), Kyprianou, Collins, Kioso. Unused subs: Talley, Katongo, Crichlow, De Havilland, Clarke-Harris.
Reading: Button, Holmes, Knibbs, Azeez, Mukairu (sub Elliott 60min), Ehibhatiomhan (sub Smith 53min), Dorsett, Mbengue (sub Mola 60min), Wing, Abbey, Craig. Unused subs: Pereira, Savage, Bindon, Vickers.
Half-time: Peterborough United 1-0 Reading
Full-time: Peterborough United 2-2 Reading
Attendance: 10,444 (564 Reading fans)
Referee: D. Rock