READING scored two goals in the opening 13 minutes to secure a deserved victory at Bristol City and move into the play-off places.

Nick Blackman and Garath McCleary were on target for the Royals, giving them a second successive league victory on the road.

Reading were in complete control throughout and will be wondering how they didn't add to their tally in the second half.

The victory moves the Royals up to sixth, the first time they've been in the play-off places this season.

There were again plenty of positives for Steve Clarke and the 1,300 travelling Reading fans, with Stephen Quinn excellent on the left of midfield and Paul McShane again impeccable at the centre of defence.

The Reading boss gave McCleary his first start of the season in place of the suspended Orlando Sa, whilst Anton Ferdinand again missed out through injury.

It was a fast start by the Royals and within 13 minutes they had struck twice to take complete control of the game.

Blackman opened the scoring after nine minutes when he broke into the box from the right and curled a low effort across Frank Fielding via a slight deflection off Derrick Williams.

It was the perfect start for Clarke's side but it got even better four minutes later when McCleary beat Fielding from 30 yards.

The home defence stood off the Reading winger and he took aim from distance, finding the bottom left-hand corner.

The hosts tried their best to get into the contest, but Paul McShane and Michael Hector were solid in defence and the closest they came in the first half was a Jonathan Kodjia effort that was blocked by Hector.

Reading should've extended their lead before the break when McCleary broke into the box but with Vydra waiting for a tap in, he chose the wrong option and attempted to roll the ball back to Blackman, which Korey Smith managed to intercept.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with Reading being the freedom of the Bristol City half at times – but unable to find a third goal that would've settled the tie early on.

Blackman was twice sent into a threatening position but only some last gasp defending from the hosts prevented him doubling his tally.

Danny Williams and Chris Gunter also had efforts but failed to test Fielding in the home goal.

Gunter was called into action at the other end when a quick Bristol break saw Kieran Agard race into the box but the right-back was on hand to block his goalbound effort.

Lucas Piazon was introduced for the final 10 minutes along with Paolo Hutado for his Reading debut, as Clarke's side strolled to victory in the Bristol sunshine.

Reading: Bond; Gunter, McShane, Hector, Obita; Norwood, Williams, Quinn (Tshibola '90); Blackman, McCleary (Hurtado '84), Vydra (Piazon '79). Subs not used: Al-Habsi, Cooper, John, Cox.

Bristol City: Fielding; Williams, Flint, Ayling, Smith, Freeman, Moore (Burns '45), Wilbraham (Agard '62), Pack (Reid '57), Kodja, Bryan. Subs: Hamer, Little, Robinson, Wagstaff.

Referee: Stephen Martin

Attendance: 15,135 (1300)