Scunthorpe 0-2 Reading
Sportsdesk • Published 12 Apr 2011 23:06
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READING moved to within three points of the automatic promotion places in the Championship with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Scunthorpe on Tuesday evening.
After an uninspiring first-half, Shane Long gave Royals the lead on 57 minutes when he converted a cross from Jimmy Kebe.
Long was then fouled in the penalty area five minutes later and Ian Harte drilled home the penalty to secure all three points.
On a night when three of the top six teams - Swansea, Norwich and Leeds - all dropped points, Royals' win puts them firmly in contention for the second automatic promotion place.
Brian McDermott's side were far from their fluent best against Scunthorpe but the fact they managed to record their seventh straight Championship win says plenty about the character of the team.
In the opening 45 minutes, the visitors managed just a couple of shots on goal and looked a little off the pace against a Scunthorpe side who beat runaway leaders Queens Park Rangers at the weekend.
Matt Duffy went close for the hosts when he forced a decent stop from Alex McCarthy and the England goalkeeper palmed away a shot from the same player as the Iron threatened to break the first-half deadlock.
Mathieu Manset, starting a second successive game up front, and Long were both starved of service and only towards the end of the half did the former see a shot well blocked.
While Royals seemed to lack inspiration in the first-half, they came out fired up after the break, and a strong challenge from Jem Karacan set up the opening goal.
After winning the ball well in the centre of the pitch, Karacan found Mikele Leigertwood and he in turn played a ball inside the full-back to Jimmy Kebe, who passed across goal Long to stroke in.
It was undoubtedly Reading's best move of the match and, rather than sitting back, they continued to press Scunthorpe in search of a decisive second.
It took less than 10 minutes for the visitors to find it too, with Jobi McAnuff playing a one-two with Karacan and then feeding in Long, who was tripped in the box.
The striker was unable to take the penalty due to a slight knock sustained in the challenge but Ian Harte stepped up to drill home the spot-kick.
The visitors had chances to further extend their lead but Kebe and McAnuff spurned opportunites from decent postions.
Nevertheless, Scunthorpe rarely threatened to stage a comeback and Reading secured all three points.
Up next for the Royals is a home match with Leicester on Saturday (3pm ko).
** Pick up a copy of the Reading Chronicle on Thursday for match report, interviews and also pictures from the match, as well as to find out how to vote for your Reading Player of the Season **
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 12 Apr 11
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