Danny Williams, Alex Pearce and Garath McCleary all found the net in Sunday’s impressive victory at Loftus Road.

Former Royals striker Kevin Doyle replied for Harry Redknapp’s big-spending Rangers, but it was Adkins’ men who claimed the bragging rights in a lively hoops derby that also saw Kaspars Gorkss sent off for the visitors, a decision Royals have now appealed.

It was Reading’s fifth win in seven Championship matches and, while they remain sixth in the table, they cut the gap between them and third-placed QPR to six points.

The are also in sensational goalscoring form thanks to recent 7-1 and 5-1 wins over Bolton and then Blackpool and a 3-0 victory at Millwall in their previous away fixture.

Adkins beamed: “It was a great win, our supporters were brilliant and will have left happy, the spirit between the players is great.

“Sunday highlighted that we’ve got goals in the team from all over the pitch. We’ve got a good shape and you can see the spirit amongst the players. We’re in a good vein of form and everyone’s enjoying it.”

The FA’s decision to rescind Alex Pearce’s red card in the 2-0 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday meant Adkins selected the same team for the seventh match running.

Royals took 10 minutes to break the deadlock when in-form Williams planted a firm header past Rangers keeper Rob Green from Adam Le Fondre’s cross for his second goal in three games.

Doyle, playing against Reading for the first time since departing in 2009, bundled home the equaliser 10 minutes later after Will Keane’s effort bounced off Alex McCarthy.

But Pearce made the most of his FA let-off by heading Royals back in front on 56 minutes from Jobi McAnuff’s corner and Garath McCleary slammed home a 30-yard wonderstrike three minutes later to secure the points.

Adkins beamed: “We’ve come away from home and got a good win.

“Danny Williams got us off to a good start. It was very Bryan Robson-esque casting your mind back many years.

“We allowed Rangers to score which was disappointing from our perspective, but the lads responded well.

“A thunderous header from a set play from Pearcey put us back in the lead and then wow! What a goal from Garath McCleary, the lad’s got so much ability.

“Fortunately, I was right behind it and I was screaming ‘go on, get at the full back’. He unleashed a fantastic strike that was great for all to see. I get excited about goals like that and I’m looking forward to seeing it back again.”

The only setback on the day was Gorkss’ 71st minute red card for a full-blooded challenge on Junior Hoilett.

Adkins initially said he had no problem with Coote’s decision and suggested an appeal would not be made.

But having reviewed video footage of the incident, they changed their minds and an appeal was lodged with the FA earlier today.

If they are unsuccessful, Gorkss will be serve a four-match ban as he has already been sent off this season for two yellow cards in a 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Reading host Blackburn this Saturday (3pm ko).