FORMER Saints boss Ruben Selles has avoided relegation with Reading, despite multiple points deductions.

A 2-2 draw with promotion hopefuls Barnsley was enough to secure their spot in League One next season due to other games left to be played.

The Royals (50 points) are currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone with two games remaining.

Cheltenham (38 points) still have four games to play, including one against Burton (43 points - three games to play).

Both are unable to take the maximum points required to catch Reading, ensuring their survival in the division.

Barnsley had to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 draw with Reading. Sam Smith and Lewis Wing netted for Reading, with Adam Phillips and Fabio Jalo providing equalisers.

The Royals have been deducted a total of six points this season due to off-field financial issues with their ownership.

Owner Dai Yongge failed to meet HMRC payment obligations while players and staff have gone without pay on occasion.

Selles took over at the League One side after overseeing Southampton's relegation from the Premier League last season.

"I don’t consider it a very good point; I think we deserved the three points. We had chances to go and win the game and we didn’t take our chances to do it," Selles said post-match.

"I think it’s a signal that we are moving as a team that we can come here and compete with our principles.

"Now we need to make one more step and finish the chances when we make them. I think it has been there the entire season.

"In some games we make it and in some games, we didn’t, today I thought we should have got at least one more goal.

"I want to believe that it is part of the process. We don’t forget that there are still a couple of games to go, and we must continue growing."