More than a decade on, the Royals' run to the FA Cup semi-finals remains one of the club's greatest modern achievements, taking Steve Clarke's Championship side to within sight of a first-ever appearance in the final.

After victories over Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Derby County and Bradford City, Reading arrived at Wembley for their first FA Cup semi-final in 88 years.

Standing in their way were holders Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger's side entered the contest as overwhelming favourites, having won eight consecutive Premier League matches and boasting a squad packed with international stars including Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla.

Reading, meanwhile, had won just one of their previous 10 Championship matches.

Yet from the opening whistle, the Royals showed little interest in playing the role of underdog.

Clarke named an attacking side featuring Pavel Pogrebnyak, Jamie Mackie, Hal Robson-Kanu and Garath McCleary, and Reading immediately caused problems.

Jordan Obita forced Wojciech Szczesny into action with a powerful long-range effort, while Mackie was controversially denied a clear run on goal by an incorrect offside flag.

At the other end, Adam Federici was in inspired form.

The Australian goalkeeper produced an excellent reaction save to deny Per Mertesacker before watching an Ozil free-kick flash narrowly wide.

Reading continued to threaten and nearly took the lead when Mackie clipped the outside of the post after Szczesny had saved his initial effort.

But Arsenal's quality eventually told six minutes before half-time.

A perfectly weighted pass from Ozil picked out Sanchez, who controlled brilliantly before slipping the ball through Federici's legs to hand the Gunners the lead.

For a moment Wembley seemed set to follow the script.

Reading had other ideas.

The Royals flew out of the blocks after the break and deservedly levelled nine minutes into the second half.

Pogrebnyak worked his way to the byline and delivered a teasing cross which McCleary met first time. Szczesny could not keep out the winger's volley as the ball crossed the line, sparking wild celebrations among the 33,000 Reading supporters inside Wembley.

At 1-1, belief surged through Clarke's side.

Reading felt they should have had a penalty when Robson-Kanu's cross appeared to strike Mathieu Debuchy's hand, while Federici continued to frustrate Arsenal with a string of outstanding saves.

His finest moment came when he brilliantly clawed away a powerful Gabriel header to keep the scores level.

As the game opened up, chances arrived at both ends.

Aaron Ramsey struck the post after Federici had denied him, while Reading squandered a glorious opportunity to seize control of the tie when Pogrebnyak elected to shoot rather than square the ball to the unmarked Mackie during a late two-on-one break.

With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the semi-final headed into extra time.

Reading were now just 15 minutes away from taking Arsenal to penalties and keeping alive their dream of a first FA Cup final appearance.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

In the 105th minute, Sanchez cut inside and struck a shot that appeared routine for Federici. The goalkeeper, who had been outstanding throughout the afternoon, inexplicably allowed the ball to slip underneath him and over the line.

It was a cruel twist for a player who had produced one of the performances of his career on the biggest stage of all.

The sight of Federici lying face down on the Wembley turf remains one of the defining images of Reading's FA Cup history.

Arsenal almost added further goals through Olivier Giroud and Ramsey, but the damage had already been done.

The Gunners held on to secure a 2-1 victory and would later go on to beat Aston Villa 4-0 in the final to retain the trophy.

For Reading, the defeat was devastating.

Federici's anguish at the final whistle was clear to see as Clarke consoled his goalkeeper following a cruel ending to a remarkable cup run.

Yet the result does not define Reading's achievement.

Against one of England's biggest clubs, the Royals matched Arsenal for virtually every minute of a gripping 120-minute contest. They silenced the doubters, won admirers across the country and came agonisingly close to one of the greatest upsets in modern FA Cup history.

They ultimately fell short, but Reading's journey to Wembley in 2014/15 remains the closest the club has ever come to reaching an FA Cup final.

For supporters who packed out the national stadium that spring afternoon, it remains one of the most memorable days in Reading FC history. Despite the heartbreak, the run stands as a reminder of what can happen when belief, togetherness and a little cup magic collide.