READING FC booked a trip to Yeovil Town in the last 16 of the Checkatrade Trophy after beating Southampton 4-3 on penalties at St Mary's.
Saints took the lead in the first half last night when Lloyd Isgrove intercepted a loose pass from Sandro Wieser and fired past fit-again keeper Anssi Jaakkola.
But Martin Kuhl's visitors stepped it up after the break and drew level when Niall Keown headed home from a Josh Barrett corner early in the second half.
Through to the next round of the cup 🏆 good to get 90 minutes and to score ⚽️ won on pens. Facials 😊 #readingfc pic.twitter.com/9htyHjio2n
— Niall Keown (@Niallkeown) December 21, 2016
Barrett went close to nicking it before 90 minutes were up when he crashed an effort against the crossbar and then saw a last-gasp shot brilliantly saved by Saints keeper Harry Lewis.
But neither side could find a winner in normal time so the tie would be decided on a penalty shootout.
Delighted to be through to the next round of the checker-trade trophy after beating @SouthamptonFC on pens! #readingfc 🔵⚪️
— Tyler Frost (@Tylerfrost_) December 21, 2016
Reading, who had beaten Portsmouth on spot-kicks during the group stages, came out on top at the expense of the hosts.
Jaakkola gave Royals a crucial early advantage by saving Saints' first two penalties by Alfie Jones and Thomas O'Connor, with Reading skipper Jake Cooper and Wieser converting theirs for a 2-0 lead.
Callum Slattery and Armani Little calmly finished their efforts to put Saints back in with chance.
Tennai Watson then held his nerve for the visitors, but Tyler Frost was denied by Lewis to leave Royals 3-2 ahead.
Saints kept the tie alive when Isgrove converted to make it 3-3, but Yakou Meite slammed his effort home for a 4-3 victory on penalties to send Reading into the next round.
Reading: Jaakkola, Watson, Medford-Smith, Cooper (c), Keown, Wieser, Rinomhota, Barrett, Loader, Meite, Smith (Frost 67). Subs not used: Southwood, Vancooten, East, Bennett, Griffin.
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