PAUL McShane grabbed a late winner at rock-bottom Rotherham United as Reading FC picked up their first Championship win in five matches.

Royals skipper was sent on in the 29th minute to add more steel to Jaap Stam's side at the expense of Liam Kelly on his league debut.

And Stam's bold move was justified when McShane smashed home an 86th-minute volley to end a run of four matches without a victory.

Until that point, it looked as though Reading would have to settle for a point at New York Stadium after missing a glut of second-half chances.

Garath McCleary's tame penalty was saved by Lee Camp on the hour and John Swift rattled the bar 10 minutes later.

But that all came after keeper Ali Al Habsi made a string of superb saves to deny the home side in Kenny Jackett's first match in charge.

Stam made two changes from the side which lost at home to Aston Villa on Tuesday night including a league debut for ex-Academy midfielder Kelly in place of George Evans.

Jordan Obita also got the not ahead of Tyler Blackett at left-back, while McShane returned from injury, though only on the bench as Joey van den Berg kept his place in central defence.

It didn't take long for Kelly to show his ability with a shot that was bravely blocked.

But the home side, desperate to impress Jackett, almost went ahead in the third minute when Joe Newell's drive brought a superb save from Ali Al Habsi.

It was a jittery start from the visitors, and it needed two more excellent stops from Al Habsi to keep them on level terms.

The Oman international turned a Jon Taylor effort around the post for a corner in the 11th minute.

Then a header by former Royal Greg Halford from the flag-kick was expertly kept out by Al Habsi before Yann Kermorgant hacked the ball clear.

Reading hit back, but Williams took too long after a smart knock-down from Kermorgant allowing Rotherham to block his shot.

Stam wasn't happy with what he was seeing and he made a tactical change in the 28th minute by sacrificing Kelly for McShane, with van den Berg pushing into midfield.

It led to a bright spell for the visitors who threatened to break the dreadlock on two occastions through Swift.

The England Under 21 star fired a couple of yards wide from around 25-yard out, then went even closer soon after with a curling effort that had Camp worried in the Rotherham goal.

Royals remained on top but were lacking a cutting edge in the final third.

Another chance went begging 10 minutes before the interval when the ball broke nicely for Roy Beerens only for the Dutchman to slice his shot from a decent position.

It summed up a first half during which Reading enjoyed 80% possession without a single shot on target. Rotherham, on the other hand, managed five shots on target from their mininimal 20%.

Jackett's men pushed harder for an opener after the break, and it almost came in the 51st minute.

They looked certain to score from a goalmouth scramble involving a dozen players, but the ball somehow stayed out.

Suddenly, Royals were hanging on and had it not been for Al Habsi, they would have certainly conceded first.

He produced another stunning, reflex save to palm away a Richard Wood header from point-blank range with 56 minutes gone.

And two minutes later he stood big to deny the same Rotherham player when clean through on goal.

Having survived that onslaught, Reading blew a gilt-edged chance to take the lead on the hour mark.

They won a penalty when Dael Fry tripped van den Berg after a neat one-two with Swift.

But McCleary drove his spot-kick down the middle, and Camp stuck out a leg to keep the ball out.

It was a let-off for the hosts, but Reading continued to spur a host of chances as the game went on.

Kermorgant volleyed wide from a Beerens cross in the 70th minute, then van den Berg, McCleary and Williams all had efforts blocked as the visitors piled the pressure on.

The frustration continued and 11 minutes before the end Swift rattled the bar from the edge of the box with Camp well beaten.

But Royals' patience was finally rewarded four minutes from time thanks to a striker's finish from McShane.

When Camp pushed Beerens shot to the Royals skipper, he controlled the ball on his thigh before volleying into the net.

The away fans were forced to endure a nervy moment two minutes later when Lee Frecklington's effort was held by Al Habsi, then the same Rotherham player fired wide from distance.

But Reading rode it out to claim their first win in five Championship matches to move up to eighth in the table, while Rotherham remain cut adrift at the bottom after a seventh straight defeat.

Royals now turn their attention to the EFL Cup and a fourth-round trip to Arsenal on Tuesday night (7.45pm ko).

Rotherham: Camp, Fisher, Fry, Wood, Mattock, Taylor, Halford, Frecklington, Newell (Brown 64), Ward, Blackstock (Forde 75). Subs not used: Price, Vaulks, Forster-Caskey, Ball, Belaid. Booked: Blackstock 52.

Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Obita, L.Moore, Van den Berg, Kelly (McShane 28), Swift (Evans 90), Williams, Beerens, McCleary, Kermorgant. Subs not used: S.Moore, Watson, Gravenberch, Blackett, Samuel. Booked: Gunter 52, Swift 89.

Referee: Scott Duncan.

Attendance: 8,800 (Reading 644).