READING FC progressed to the third round of the League Cup after coming from behind to run out 2-1 winners at Portsmouth.

Second half strikes from Nick Blackman and Garath McCleary – on his return from injury – ensured they wouldn't become the latest Championship scalp in a season of upsets.

Conor Chaplin had put the hosts ahead when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up in the 40th minute but Reading were good value for the victory after an improved second half display.

The victory means Reading will now meet either Everton or Barnsley at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday, September 22.

Steve Clarke made four changes to the side that drew with MK Dons, bringing in Ali Al-Habsi, Michael Hector, Nick Blackman and Simon Cox.

The big news for Royals fans was that McCleary returned to the bench, making his first appearance of the season after picking up an injury whilst on international duty.

Despite a relatively strong side, Clarke's side struggled to settle in the first half and it was the hosts that enjoyed the lions share of possession.

It was a partisan atmosphere at a buoyant Fratton Park and it seemed to unsettle the visitors, with Portsmouth forcing the hosts into numerous errors.

Paul Cook's men should've gone ahead in the 27th minute but Jayden Stockley somehow volleyed wide from six yards out.

Hal Robson-Kanu had Royals' best chance of the half when he broke clear of the Portsmouth defence but his tame effort was well saved by Paul Jones.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 40th minute and it was a nightmare goal to concede from a Reading perspective.

A long ball forward caused indecision between Al-Habsi and Hector, and Chaplin nipped in to steal the ball and round the keeper before firing home.

Reading hadn't come from behind to win in seven months so were facing an uphill task at half-time but they responded well in the second half and deserved to draw level when Blackman equalised in the 64th minute.

He received the ball out wide and drove into the box before beating Jones at his near post with a low, fizzing drive.

From that point onwards, there was only one winner as Reading demonstrated their superior quality.

McCleary was introduced to proceedings in the 69th minute and it took him just 15 minutes to get off the mark.

Good work by Stephen Quinn saw them work the ball into the box, and Blackman's blocked effort landed at the feet of McCleary, who made no mistake from close-range to give Reading victory.