READING FC cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Walsall at Madejski Stadium.

League One Saddlers had made a habit of beating Championship opposition this season after dumping Nottingham Forest and Brighton out of the Capital One Cup and Brentford out of the FA Cup in the previous round.

But today's fourth-round clash proved a step too far for Sean O'Driscoll's men who rarely looked like causing another upset.

In fact, Reading were superior all over the park and two goals in three first-half minutes from Hal Robson-Kanu and Matej Vydra put them in control before Danny Williams notched a third 15 minutes before the end.

Vydra added gloss to the scoreline with his second and Reading's fourth in the 90th minute to take his tally in the competition to five goals in his last two cup ties, and six in all.

Unfortunately, the victory was tinged with frustration as Aaron Tshibola picked up a fresh injury and was forced off just 10 minutes into his comeback from injury.

Walsall also suffered in that department after goalkeeper Neil Etheridge left on a stretcher after colliding with his own player trying to prevent Williams' goal.

McDermott made two changes to the Reading team from the one that drew 1- 1 with Sheffield Wednesday in the league a week earlier.

Tshibola and Stephen Quinn replaced George Evans, who was cup tied, and Lucas Piazon, while Paul McShane recovered from a calf strain and was on the bench.

But Deniss Rakels has to make do with a seat in the stands as the club's new Latvia striker was prevented from playing by a delay over international clearance.

Walsall, meanwhile, were unchanged and named Tom Bradshaw in their starting line-up after McDermott played down links with the prolific striker earlier in the week.

He was, however, well aware of the threat posed by O'Driscoll's Saddlers, riding high in third place in League One.

But it was Royals who threatened first when Tshibola's 30-yarder dipped over Etheridge and onto the roof of the net.

But Tshibola lasted only a few minutes longer before he was forced off the pitch clutching his ankle following an earlier challenge.

Walsall responded when Bradshaw's shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Anton Ferdinand and spun an inch wide of the far post, with Ali Al Habsi beaten.

Yet there was little to choose between the teams until two goals in a three-minute burst put Royals in complete command.

Robson-Kanu opened the scoring in the 37th minute when he drove into the area before slamming a shot across Etheridge and high into the net.

And before Walsall could recover, Vydra was in the right place at the right time to tap home Quinn's inch-perfect cross after excellent work from Williams and Michael Hector in the build up.

In fact, the hosts were fortunate not to concede a third on the stroke of half time.

Robson-Kanu slipped in Vydra but he dragged his shot wide of the far post with only Etheridge to beat.

The visitors rallied after the break and were unlucky not to pull one back when Romaine Sawyers rattled the crossbar from 25 yards, with Al Habsi beaten.

Then Anthony Forde curled a free-kick narrowly wide following a foul by Williams.

Reading, though, went close to scoring again on the hour mark when a Etheridge touched a trademark Norwood free-kick onto the crossbar.

And they did notch a third in the 75th minute when Williams seized on a stray pass in the centre-circle and raced into the box before sliding the ball through Etheridge's legs.

Sadly, Etheridge collided with Paul Downing as he tried to prevent a goal and was stretchered off.

His replacement, Craig MacGillivray, was soon picking the ball out of the net after Vydra headed in an excellent cross from Chris Gunter in the 90th minute.

And MacGillivray was forced to make two important saves to deny Williams and Norwood as Royals finished strongly.

It was an impressive display from McDermott's men against a dangerous Walsall side fighting for promotion.

Royals will now be hoping for another home fixture in the fifth round, and they return to league action on Tuesday with a trip to Ipswich Town (7.45pm).

 

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, Cooper, Ferdinand (McShane 69), Norwood, Williams, Tshibola (Hector 10), Quinn (John 79), Robson-Kanu, Vydra. Subs not used: Bond, Taylor, Piazon, Cox. Booked: Gunter 59.

Walsall: Etheridge (MacGillvray 78), Demetriou, Taylor, O'Connor, Downing, Chambers (c) Cook 64), Mantom, Bradshaw, Sawyers, Forde, Henry. Subs not used: Lalkovic, Preston, Flanagan, Morris, Kinsella. Booked: Demetriou 35. O'Connor 60.

Referee: Peter Bankes.

Attendance: 13,367 (Walsall 1,636).