Reading boss Steve Coppell was grateful to Stephen Hunt after his equaliser at Birmingham halted a run of six successive away defeats.
Hunt had netted from the penalty spot in the Royals' impressive 3-1 win over Liverpool last weekend and was on the mark again in the 1-1 draw at St Andrews after being brought down by Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor.
It cancelled out Mikael Forssell's early goal for Blues and was Reading's first point on their travels since holding Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season.
"He is a very important factor in what we do. If he is your player then you appreciate everything he does.
"He doesn't hold anything back, he remembers where he came from and he is determined to take advantage of everything he can give to the game.
"He puts a lot in - and I hope he gets a lot out because his attitude is superb."
Coppell was well pleased to pick up another point and keep Reading clear of the relegation zone.
He said: "The goal we gave away in the first half was a nonsense goal as far as we were concerned.
"But it's another point on the board. I thought the commitment of both sides was terrific. The purist might say the game could have been more pleasing on the eye.
"But you saw a game between two sides desperate to get three points which was played at a frenetic and incredible pace."
