Anna Anvegard had put Everton ahead in what was their first game since boss Jean-Luc Vasseur was sacked.

Everton's Izzy Christiansen had a penalty saved before Natasha Dowie equalised for Reading.

The win lifted Kelly Chambers' Reading side up to fifth, two places and three points behind Manchester United, who occupy the third and final Champions League qualification spot.

Everton started the season with talk of wanting to challenging for European qualification, but defeat by the Royals just five days after Vasseur's departure leaves them 10th in the table and closer to the relegation spot than the top three.

Interim manager Chris Roberts, who has taken the role alongside Claire Ditchburn, said he "couldn't fault" his team's performance in the first half.

"What they gave was incredible. They followed the gameplan to a tee. Their desire, their work-rate, their energy was brilliant and it was a great indication to me exactly how much they've taken on in the three days we've had them."

But he said his players "struggled a little bit" in the second half and needed to be "better at managing those end of game moments, seeing the game out".

He added: "We had great control for such a big part of the game - loads of positives to take, but ultimately we need to turn positives into points and we need the three points next week at Aston Villa."

A well-worked corner routine, which saw Anvegard turn a shot from Claire Emslie into the back of the net, gave the hosts the ideal start at Walton Hall Park.

Danielle Turner had a header cleared off the line by Reading's Gemma Evans, while Dowie was denied from point-blank range at the other end by the combined efforts of Nathalie Bjorn and Gabrielle George.

Everton had the chance to double their advantage after Lily Woodham handled the ball in the area, but Grace Moloney did well to deny Christiansen from the spot.

Dowie scored a deserved equaliser for Reading with a shot from outside the box which eluded Sandy MacIver in the 74th minute, and Primmer ensured Reading extended their club-record WSL winning run to five games with a cool 88th-minute finish in a crowded penalty area.