READING FC are still unbeaten at the Madejski Stadium in 2016 after a blistering strike from Oliver Norwood pulled them from a goal behind to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1, writes Courtney Friday.

Norwood's 25-yard cracker followed Matej Vydra's leveller after the visitors had taken a first-half lead through Ben Osborn.

But a resilient performance from McDermott's men - who saw the majority of the ball throughout the game - turned the scoreline on its head.

The win means the Royals stay in 13th place in the Championship table, while Forest slip down to 17th.

Royals boss made one change to the starting line-up as he called on Simon Cox -goalless in 16 months- to replace Vydra upfront.

Eyebrows were raised among supporters after Vydra missed a first-half penalty at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday and then squandered several clear-cut chances.

Ola John however, whose blistering strike sealed the three points for the Royals against the Trotters, started on the bench.

McDermott elected a diamond formation with Williams and Quinn on the wings and Piazon sat behind the two forwards.

Reading had a penalty shout after one minute when Yann Kermorgant went down in the box, but referee Dean Whitestone was not interested.

Ali Al-Habsi then had to pull off a stunning save to deny Forest captain Henri Lansbury from close range.

After steady build up play from the Royals, a cross from the right was met by the head of Cox, but the ball flew past De Vries's post on nine minutes.

Obita then sent a hanging ball over the defence on 13 minutes which was met by the head of Yann Kermorgant, but former Reading captain Matt Mills cleared the Frenchman's downward header off the Forest line.

Royals tried the same thing two minutes later with Obita finding the head of Kermorgant again, but De Vries' pulled off a stunning one-handed save.

Dancing feet from Cox saw a chance open up for the academy product on 18 minutes, but the Republic of Ireland international could not find the target.

Forest replied and Ben Osbourn found a yard of space and took a shot from 25 yards out which looked destined for the top corner, forcing Al-Habsi to make a vital save at full stretch.

A minute later Norwood's in-swinging corner was picked off by Paul McShane, but the skipper's header went flying over the crossbar.

Forest's Kelvin Wilson was forced off midway through the first half with what appeared to be a hip problem and was replaced by Danny Fox.

Gary Gardener was dealt the game's first yellow card after Obita beat him for pace on the left channel, leaving Gardener no choice but to bring down the full-back on the edge of the box.

Another Obita cross fell between Cox and Williams with the latter scuffing his first-time volley over the bar.

Paul Williams' side came to the Madejski Stadium in 16th place, but the visitors took the lead on 41 minutes when Lansbury threaded a defence-splitting pass through to Osborn, who tucked the ball past the despairing Al-Habsi.

A loose ball on the edge of the Forest penalty area fell to Kermorgant on the stroke of half time, but the striker's snap-shot missed the target.

More good work from Obita on the left gifted an opportunity to Reading seven minutes into the second half, but the ball was intercepted and put out for a Reading corner.

A goal-mouth scramble followed Stephen Quinn's set piece, but Dorus De Vries was able to catch the ball.

Kermorgant had another glorious opportunity for Reading on 54 minutes when he met Gunter's cross from the right, the striker's header left the Forest keeper rooted to the spot but sailed marginally wide of the post.

Forest hit Reading on the break three minutes later and the ball sat up nicely for Osborn to snatch his second goal of the game, but a fine save from Al-Habsi denied his effort.

McDermott threw on his attacking options on 60 minutes with loan star John and Vydra replacing Lucas Piazon and Cox.

Williams lined up a shot from 25 yards five minutes later, but his effort flew wide of the post.

Then Vydra silenced his critics on 67 minutes when he found himself in the right place at the right time to bring the Royals back on level terms.

The forward was perfectly positioned to get on the end of Oliver Norwood's shot from distance and turn the ball into the back of the net.

The Czech Republic international looked full of confidence after his first goal since November and his first under Brian McDermott- and a cushioned header from Kermorgant nearly found his strike partner, but it was well defended by Forest.

But it was Norwood who stole the show for the Royals in the 80th minute after the Northern Ireland international's curling effort from 25 yards out clattered the inside of the post and into the back of the net to put the Royals ahead.

Osborn saw a late chance for this visitors three minutes before the end, but his effort drifted wide of Al-Habsi's far post and the Royals were able to claim all three points.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Obita, McShane (c), Cooper, Norwood, Williams, Quinn, Piazon (John 60), Cox (Vydra 60), Kermorgant. Subs not used: Bond, Taylor, Evans, Vydra, Hector, Ferdinand, John.

Forest: De Vries, Gardner, Mills, Wilson (Fox 31), Jokic, Burke (Ward 68), Vaughan, Cohen, Osborn, Lansbury (c) (Tesche 74), Blackstock. Subs not used: Evtimov, Fox, Macheda, O'Grady, Grant.

Referee: Dean Whitestone.

Attendance: 15,678 (816 away)